Bengaluru, Aug 1: The Indian men's hockey team inched closer to end the 41-year medal drought as they sealed a semifinal berth of the ongoing Tokyo Olympics with a 3-1 win over Great Britain at the Oi Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
Tokyo 2020: Men's Hockey: India down Great Britain 3-1 to set up a semifinal clash with Belgium
With help of goals from Dilpreet Singh (7'), Gurjant Singh (16') Hardik Singh (57'), the Manpreet Singh-led Indian side notched up a convincing win in the men's hockey quarterfinal match. India's win saw them set up a semifinal clash against World Champions Belgium on Tuesday (Aug 3). Samuel Ward (45') was Great Britain's lone goal scorer.
The Indian men's side booked a last-four berth for the first time since winning gold in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. That was India's last medal in hockey at the Olympics. The Manpreet Singh-led side will now take on Belgium in the last-four stage. In the other semis Germany will take on Australia.
Following India's win, the country took to social media to laud India's show. Former India captain Viren Rasquinha took to Twitter and wrote, "Greatest moment for Indian Hockey since the 1980 Gold medal at the Moscow Olympics. I am just so proud of the team. Congrats boys. I have tears of joy in my eyes. Thank you for what you guys are doing at Tokyo Flag of IndiaFlag of IndiaFlag of India.
"To win an Olympic hockey QF, you need hunger, fire, desire and total teamwork. Our men's hockey team showed all that and then some more today vs GBR. Just so proud of our warriors. Now for Belgium. Recover and get ready for the SF. The whole nation will be watching & cheering.
"There is something about a team sport especially hockey that can truly unite a nation. I can feel the emotion and the love for hockey in Flag of India Everyone wants our hockey team to do well. Keep fighting boys. The tournament is not over. Stay focused," Rasquinha added.
Greatest moment for Indian Hockey since the 1980 Gold medal at the Moscow Olympics. I am just so proud of the team. Congrats boys. I have tears of joy in my eyes. Thank you for what you guys are doing at Tokyo 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) August 1, 2021
#Hockey is an emotion in India. The past four decades have been filled with disappointments. Whatever the outcome of the semis, the perennial dark clouds seem to be lifting. Reason enough to rejoice
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 1, 2021
What resilience from this Indian hockey team to book a place in the semis. It's been a long wait for medal at the Games in hockey and this team has an entire nation backing them to end that wait. Come on! #TeamIndia #Tokyo2020
— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) August 1, 2021
There can't be a better Sunday evening. Sindhu became the first Indian woman to clinch double-medals at the Olympics and the men's hockey team entered the semis after 41 years. History made in badminton and hoping history repeats in hockey.#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/1RHEMmlqMf
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 1, 2021
Yay! Fantastic team effort by @TheHockeyIndia to win the quarter final match against GBR today. Wishing the team the best to win their first Hockey medal after 1980.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 1, 2021
Onwards and upwards #Hockey #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/i2HjyLHtFS
Chak De India 🇮🇳
— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 1, 2021
Brilliant performance by Indian Men's Hockey Team at #Olympics
Best wishes for the next match! #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/UjcsqlUOgd
Chak De India !
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 1, 2021
What a great moment for Indian hockey. Beating Great Britain in great fashion.
First semi-final after 1972 Olympics. Maza aa gaya. Best wishes for the semis. #Hockey #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/sBzsJEXGFH
Well played!
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) August 1, 2021
Congratulate Indian Men’s #Hockey Team on registering a stunning victory in the quarter-final against Great Britain at #Tokyo2020. May the team continue its momentum & bring much awaited medal for the country. Wish the team all the best.#Cheer4India @thehockeyindia pic.twitter.com/9eBkrlyxY1
Yes. Yes. What a fabulous last couple of hours. Now for a hockey medal. That will be so good
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 1, 2021
Well done Indian Hockey Team 🏑 on putting up a spectacular show of team work & commitment to reach the semi-finals.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 1, 2021
We are all cheering for you. All the best for the upcoming matches, Chak De India. #Olympics #Hockey #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/vNf6MohtI7
What a great evening ! Super show @TheHockeyIndia ! Two more to go !
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 1, 2021