Tokyo 2020 Olympics: India's 41 years wait ends as they defeat Germany to win BRONZE

Manpreet Singh-led Indian men's hockey team have ended their 41-year wait as they win the bronze Olympic medal against Germany. The side defeated Germany 5-4 on August 5 and the clash begins at Oi Hockey Stadium.

TEAM INDIA HAVE WON THE BRONZE MEDAL IN #Tokyo2020!#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/qWWOFLL0qv

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

SREEJESH saved the penalty in the dying moments and the emotions on the field are what Indians have waited for.

TEAM NEWS!

Our starting lineup against Germany for today's Bronze Medal match. #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/Tg5wrtTsyA

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

It's a GOAL for Germany. Just in the first minute of the first quarter -an early goal from Germany. It was a reverse hit from Herzbruch in front of the goal and it was struck in by Timur Oruz. Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh had made the first save, but then he was hit on the rebound.

1' Timur Oruz scores Germany's opening goal for the game.

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

Penalty corner after penalty corner - that was what was on after the hooter for the end of the first half was heard. While the Germans were trying to convert them into goals, Sreejesh stood like a rock along with his defence.

15'

A flurry of Penalty Corners for Germany but India manage to keep it away from the goalpost.

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

It's 1-1 and the game is leveled. What a comeback by India in the second quarter. It was some clever passing from the midfield and Simranjeet ended it by dishing out a speedy reverse flick shot at goal. 

17' What a GOALLLLL!!! 

Simranjeet scores his second goal in the Tokyo Olympics.

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/IC8ZSdV3Ec

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

India's defence fell weak after the equaliser as Germany score twice in the span of two minutes. Germany's counter-attack, as Ruhrer finds a way to send the ball inside. Wellen scored to put Germany in lead.

The next goal came as Germany double-team against Surender Kumar. Furk scores the third.

25' Third goal for Germany as Benedikt Fürk scores one for them.

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

Indians convert their penalty into GOAL. Trailing by a goal, but the Indians are doing all they can. Harmanpreet's drag flick was saved by the German goalkeeper, but Hardik Singh scores on the rebound.

28' Hardik Singh with a goal this time for India. 

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/nf1AAaf35G

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

Another Goal for India. Harmanpreet Singh makes sure to level the goals as he scores from the penalty corner. 

29' Harmanpreet with a wonderful goal.

GAME ONNN!!!!

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/dHfkh9Mu85

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

PENALTY and converted! India's Mandeep Singh was tripped inside the circle and Germany asked for a referral. Windfeder had said there was no contact, but replays show otherwise.

And what a goal it was as India have now scored three goals in about six minutes to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead.

31' Rupinder Pal Singh converts the Penalty Stroke into a goal.

India are leading for the first time in the game.

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/NEow1mtiuT

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

And again they make sure to take a better lead. Gurjant Singh was seen screaming down the right, and the dribble helps him cut in and pick out Simranjeet perfectly. The forward flicks it in.

34' Second goal for Simranjeet Singh.

Sumit runs from the midfield to the D and then passes to Simranjeet who makes a clinical finish.

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/1EvQ42CLhn

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

The end of the third quarter saw Indians keep the lead 5-3. The Germans did make the Indians run and save their goal, but India kept it strong till the end.

End of Q3: 

Yminute bahut zaroori hain. #GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

The start of the fourth quarter saw Germany get a penalty and convert it. Lukas Windfeder smashed the one straight down the centre of the goal. It went past Sreejesh's legs, and the goal difference has reduced to one.

48' Penalty Corner for Germany.

They get their fourth goal of the game.

#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021