Germany Takes a Thin Win 3-2 over India in the Men’s Hockey Semifinals at Paris Olympics 2024
A Heart-Wrenching Defeat for India:- India lost 3-2 to Germany in an exciting semifinal game of men’s hockey at the Paris 2024 Olympics. This defeat took away India’s chance at contesting for the gold medal and was a bitter reversal of what had happened when they last met during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where they emerged victorious over these Germans. With this victory, Germany qualified for the final in the gold medal match as the Indian fans continued to pray for an Olympic breakthrough.
Good Start by India
The game began with India starting on the right note, by scoring in the seventh minute. After a period of sustained pressure with four successive penalty corners, or PCs Harmanpreet Singh rode his luck to give India the lead. The early momentum was with the Indians, who dominated possession and kept poking for gaps in the opposition circle. At the end of the first quarter, India enjoyed 66 percent possession with seven circle penetration to Germany’s two.
In spite of this fine start, India failed to capitalize on the many chances that came their way. Harmanpreet missed another opportunity when he dragged a shot wide as the Indian team continued to push the German defense.
Germany Strikes Back
The second quarter was a different tale as Germany started fighting back. They earned their first penalty corner in the 18th minute, which Gonzalo Peillat ingeniously converted to level at 1-1. The goal put new life into the Germans, who with renewed belief, started fighting back.
India made a few forays in an attempt to regain control; Abhishek had one promising opportunity but he missed the target. Then, Lalit Upadhyay had a glorious opportunity to restore India’s lead but from an excellent position, he blazed over the bar. The game changed quite dramatically in the 27th minute when Germany earned a penalty stroke due to a foul by Jarmanpreet. Christopher Ruhr calmly converted to give Germany the 2-1 lead and put the pressure on the Indian team once more.
A Resilient Response
Undeterred, India fought back to earn their 12th penalty corner in the 34th minute. Finally, Sukhjeet Singh deflected a shot into the net in the 36th minute, leveling the score at 2-2 for the Indian team. The goal put a glint of hope among Indian supporters, as belligerence showed promise for the final quarter.
Germany reacted swiftly to the equalizing goal with a flurry of attacks into the circle of India but could not break through. As the game entered its last phases, it became more and more intense with both teams creating scoring opportunities against each other. The score remained level going into the third quarter break.
Final Quarter Drama
The last quarter got off to a rollicking start. Within the first couple of minutes, Germany won a penalty corner, but Sreejesh denied them once again to keep the scoreboard level. It was end-to-end stuff with both teams creating chances at both ends; however, India seemed to lose the ball in those decisive moments.
The hard work paid off for Germany in the 51st minute as they won another penalty corner following a referral. With the action at both ends, nerves were being gripped by the crowd surging for both teams striving for that elusive goal.
Finally, Germany did get a goal that sealed their victory at 3-2; India’s hopes of returning to the Olympic gold medal match were brutally dashed. Only reflections on the performance as focus shifts to future competitions.
Conclusion
It was the story with the semis’ 3-2 loss at the hands of Germany in the men’s hockey tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics a tough setback to India’s aspirations to build on recent successes. Though the journey to the gold medal match continues, the performance against a strong German side definitely brought out the potential and the fight which the Indian Hockey team can do. The fans are still hopeful that it will one day resurge to the top in future international competitions as this team tries to find its rightful place among the elite once more.
Read more about related article, just click here
