India beats Germany to win first Olympic men’s ice hockey medal in 41 years

The former hockey superstar defeated Germany 5-4 and won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, ending a four-year medal shortage.

On Thursday, former hockey superstar India defeated Germany 5-4, ending a four-year medal shortage, and won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

India is the most successful country in the men’s Olympic hockey competition. It has won 8 championships, but has never won a gold medal since Moscow in 1980. This is the last time they have won a medal of any color in 41 years.

Indian striker Singhit Singh stood out among other players, scoring two goals for India, including the winning goal of the game.

“This is a dream come true,” Simranjeet said. “We are proud of 1.3 billion Indians on the podium.”

Indian players celebrate after winning the Olympic bronze medal match [Bernadett Szabo/Reuters]

For the eight-time Olympic champion, this scoring-rich game is not easy. Germany took the lead ahead of Timur Oruz’s second-minute goal and threatened India in the first quarter.

After Simranjit backhanded to tie the score for India, the German team remained calm and scored two goals in the second quarter to lead 3-1.

But thanks to goals from Hardik Singh and Harman Pret Singh, India equalized at the end of the quarter and tied it to 3-3 at halftime.

Make me smile now 🙏 pic.twitter.com/8tYTZEyakU

— Sreejesh PR (@16Sreejesh) August 5, 2021

“We are very angry that we have returned India to the game,” said Keith Saadi, the head coach of the German team.

“They are a great team. You can’t give such an opportunity to such an excellent team.”

India then led 5-3, Rupinder Pal Singh scored a penalty kick and Simranjeet scored the game’s winning goal shortly after the second half.

The German team regained a goal and tried to tie the score, and even eliminated its goalkeeper late in the game to add an outfield player.

But the German could not get another goal with Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran. He was the star of the game and made 9 saves.

Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran from India poses for a photo during celebration [Bernadett Szabo/Reuters]

This defeat left German men without hockey medals for the first time since 2000. They won bronze medals in 2004 and 2016, and gold medals in 2008 and 2012.

The bronze medal marked India’s first Olympic hockey medal since the last time it won the highest award at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, when none of the current team players were born.

Belgium, the silver medalist at the Rio Olympics five years ago, will compete with Australia for the gold medal later on Thursday.

In the women’s hockey game, India will compete with Britain for the bronze medal on Friday.