3-2 Loss Against Germany Robs India Of Gold-Medal Match In Paris Olympics

Bhubaneswar: India’s dream to win an Olympic gold in hockey after 44 years was shattered after a thrilling 3-2 defeat against Germany in the semifinal of men’s hockey at Yves du Manoir Stadium in Paris late on Tuesday.

Now, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side will face Spain for the bronze medal.

The match saw its opening goal in the 7th minute through Harmanpreet’s penalty corner. However, World No. 2 Germany bounced back through Gonzalo Peillat in the 18th minute before Christopher Ruehr’s 27th-minute goal gave them the lead. India tied the game again in the 36th minute with a penalty corner deflected by Sukhjeet Singh. But a Marco Miltkau goal six minutes through an open field deflection before the final hooter saw Germany score the winner and advance to the final.

India put up a valiant fight despite feeling the absence of its key defender and first rusher, Amit Rohidas, suspended from the semifinal match after receiving red against Britain.

Desperate for an equaliser, the team opted to sub off the goalie to bring on an extra attacker with two minutes left, faced a high-pressure situation from a penalty corner and also managed to defend it without P R Sreejesh in the goal.

India had last won a gold medal at the Olympics in 1980.