The Indian women’s hockey team qualified for its first-ever Olympic semifinal, defeating tournament favorite Australia 1-0 on Monday.
The girls resumed their fairytale run and entered the men’s team in the last four stages. The Aussies helped India with advanced notice as Ambrosia Malone hit the post in another minute.
The Indian defense improved from the primary blip and grew in courage as Monika and Gurjit Kaur retained the opponent’s attack at bay. Savita Punia appreciated a fantastic outing in goal, growing up with 9 campaign-extending saves.
🇮🇳 HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE!!! 🙌#IND beat and knock out world no. 2 #AUS in the quarter-final match of women’s #hockey by 1-0 to seal their spot in SEMI-FINAL for the first time ever! 😍👏#Tokyo2020 | #StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion pic.twitter.com/HgBcsHg5Ob
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) August 2, 2021
The women’s Hockey Team Qualified For Their Maiden Olympic Semis
The 25-year-old Kaur, who passed for the final as second-best on Saturday, was never in the running for a reward in the 8 rounds of the game which was disrupted by rain for more than an hour.
Salima Tete made a brilliant run quickly after and jumped past two champions but left to keep her effort on purpose. The energy had slowly turned in India’s favor and Australia was trying to get a hold of the ball.
Gurjit Kaur, who had left to switch her last 9 penalty corner efforts, rose to the moment when it meant, and her fierce drag-flick went within a defender’s legs and took a touch off another’s stick before snuggling into the back of the goal.
Australia fought and tried its best in the last quarter. It won a narrow edge in the 51st minute that was saved by Monika and Savita.
Coach Sjoerd Marjne had briefly said that his side’s defense required to be set up and they did so in fashion.
It was a win for the country and this was set as an example before everyone on Monday.
