Skipper Harmanpreet Singh led the charge with two goals as the Indian men’s hockey team triumphed over Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Australia with a 3-2 victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday.
This historic win marked India’s first triumph against Australia in Olympic hockey since the 1972 Munich Games, ending a 52-year drought.
Ranked seventh in the world, India saw goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh (13′, 32′) and Abhishek (12′), while the fourth-ranked Australian side responded with goals from Thomas Craig (25′) and Blake Glovers (55′).
The match at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes began with Abhishek striking first for India, finishing a swift counter-attack initiated by Lalit Upadhyay’s impressive run into the inner circle.
Moments later, Harmanpreet Singh doubled India’s advantage with a well-executed penalty corner.
Despite a stellar performance from goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who made several crucial saves in the second quarter, Australia managed to reduce the deficit when Thomas Craig redirected skipper Aaron Zalewski’s wayward shot into the net.
Early in the second half, India was awarded a penalty stroke, and Harmanpreet Singh confidently converted it, firing the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs to re-establish a two-goal lead.
Though Abhishek seemed to score another in the final quarter, the goal was disallowed upon review due to a stick tackle in the build-up.
In the closing minutes, Australia was awarded a penalty stroke, which Blake Glovers successfully converted, narrowing the gap.
However, the Indian defense held firm, securing the victory and the crucial three points.
With this win, the Harmanpreet Singh-led squad accumulated 10 points in the group stage, boasting three victories in five matches.
Following their bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, India is set to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics hockey quarter-finals on August 5.