New Delhi: The numbers were stacked heavily against India. They did not beat Australia once in seven meetings in 2024, suffered a 7-1 hammering in the group stage in Tokyo Olympics three years ago. And the last time India got the better of Australia in the Olympics was way back in 1972!
On Friday, Harmanpreet Singh & Co. were like men possessed, determined to write a new script at Yves Du Manoir Stadium in Paris.
Both teams having already qualified for the quarterfinals from Pool B, India and Australia were looking to seal second place behind all-win Belgium.
India made the perfect start with a fantastic Abhishek field goal after 12 minutes.
Soon after, Harmanpreet doubled the lead by scoring from a penalty corner – his fifth goal of the competition.
Australia reduced the margin 5 minutes before half-time as Thomas Craig deflected the ball from a poorly taken penalty corner.
Harmanpreet netted his sixth goal of the Paris Games two minutes after change of ends as he coolly converted a penalty stroke.
India looked to have earned a 4-1 lead, but Abhishek’s ‘goal’ was overturned by the video umpire following a referral by Australia.
India thus finished their group league engagements with 10 points – beating Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, drawing with Argentina and losing to Belgium.
Harmanpreet’s men are likely to finish second, unless Argentina dominate Belgium later tonight.
India are likely to face the third-placed team in Pool A, possibly Great Britain.
The last-eight lineup will be finalised only after the final pool games are completed.
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