India clinch second consecutive Olympic hockey bronze, beat Spain 2-1 in third-place play-off | Paris Olympics 2024 Information

NEW DELHI: Harmanpreet Singh, the skipper, stepped as much as the problem but once more, scoring two targets as India’s hockey group secured a 2-1 victory over Spain. This triumph earned them a second straight Olympic bronze medal and supplied a becoming farewell to veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh on Thursday.
Regardless of the heartbreaking 2-3 loss to Germany within the semifinal, the Indian group bounced again and displayed optimistic hockey all through many of the match, in the end rising victorious.

Spain’s captain Marc Miralles had given his group an surprising lead within the 18th minute from a penalty stroke. Nonetheless, Harmanpreet (thirtieth, thirty third minutes) responded by changing two penalty corners, securing the win for India.

The Indian group demonstrated their resilience and fortitude, securing yet one more podium place on the pinnacle of world sports activities competitions. Their achievement in Tokyo three years prior, which ended a 41-year drought, set the stage for this exceptional feat.
Sreejesh, at 36 years of age, delivered an impressive efficiency within the closing match of his distinguished 18-year profession, making essential saves that left an indelible mark on the sport.
Within the opening quarter, India took the initiative, controlling the play with meticulous execution. Nonetheless, Spain mounted a robust comeback following the preliminary quarter-hour, difficult the Indian facet’s dominance.
Spain earned 9 penalty corners in comparison with India’s six, with India changing two of theirs.

Regardless of Spain having extra possession, India was the extra aggressive group, ceaselessly breaking by the Spanish protection within the first quarter-hour.
Spain entered the second quarter with higher depth and objective, making use of heavy strain on the Indian aim.
Spain took the lead within the 18th minute, however Harmanpreet as soon as once more showcased his prime type to information India by the problem.
The final time India secured back-to-back Olympic medals was within the 1968 and 1972 editions, each leading to bronze.

The bronze medal in Paris was a much-needed triumph for the Indian contingent, which had confronted six agonizing fourth-place finishes, alongside the heartbreaking disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat.
Nonetheless trailing, India intensified their efforts towards the Spanish protection, incomes their first penalty nook within the twenty ninth minute, however did not convert.
Simply 21 seconds earlier than half-time, Manpreet made up for his earlier mistake by securing one other penalty nook for India, and this time, Harmanpreet struck with precision.
India earned one other penalty nook within the thirty fifth minute, however Harmanpreet’s highly effective shot was blocked by Spain’s goalkeeper Luis Calzado.

Mandeep Singh’s spectacular run down the left flank led to a different quick nook, however Spanish defender Jordi Bonastre took a blow to his left knee to forestall India’s try.
Sreejesh then thwarted a Spanish assault, permitting India to take care of their 2-1 lead till the top of the third quarter.
Hardik needed to be taken off the sphere 5 minutes into the fourth quarter after colliding with an opposing participant and struggling a hand harm.
This occurred simply after India efficiently defended one other quick nook, which was initially brought on by Manpreet by chance hitting the ball onto Hardik’s foot.
Luckily for India, Marc Recasens missed the goal, easing the strain within the Indian camp.
With three minutes remaining, Spain eliminated goalkeeper Calzado in a determined bid to search out an equalizer, however India held agency and made no mistake within the dying moments.