Tokyo, Japan, August 2, 2021: The country’s tourist blurb calls it Incredible India. The Indian women’s hockey team lived up to that tagline as they pulled off a shock 1-0 upset over Australia to reach the semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics.
In early morning action on Monday, August 2, India hardly showed any blues with Gurjit Kaur scoring the only goal of the quarterfinal off a drag-flick from a penalty corner in the 22nd minute.
India then held on heroically, denying three-time Olympic gold medallists Australia, to pull off what is probably one of the biggest upsets in Olympic hockey history.
Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia stood tall as she saved a whopping eight penalty corners from Australia.
“I’m very, very happy,” an overjoyed goal-scorer Kaur was quoted by The Times of India. “It was hard work, especially over the last few days. It’s a happy team. It’s the first time we are in the semis. India is proud. Years of hard work have paid off today.”
Kaur summed up: “We scored one goal and we managed to defend it. I want to thank the entire country for the support.”
The Indian women did reach the last four at the 1980 Moscow Olympics but that result came in a round-robin competition format between six teams. Only participating in its third Olympics, the Indian women’s hockey team finished 12th and last in Rio 2016, including a 6-1 loss to Australia.
It was the third straight win at Tokyo 2020 for the Rani Rampal-led side. Having opened their campaign with three straight losses, India won their final two group games – beating Ireland and South Africa – to squeeze into the quarters.
Then Incredible India knocked off powerhouse Australia with a sublime performance on Monday to join their male compatriots who have also reached the last four at the Olympics.
The Indian women will meet Argentina in the semifinals.
