Olympics 2021: Indian women's side scores historic 1-0 win over Australia to go through to the semifinals

With both women's and men's side now through to the last four, we are so close to a podium finishes! It'll be a first-ever semifinal for the women's side and a first since 1972 for the men.

The schedule for the women's semi final will be out soon, whereas the men take on Belgium tomorrow morning 7am IST. So make sure you keep checking in for updates. Also follow Sportskeeda for all the other Live Action from the Olympics 2021.

That's all for now! Hoe you enjoyed and cherished this historic performance, as much as we did, bringing it to you! Goodbye for now, keep the wishes coming in for the Indian side and stay safe!

The first quarter was India's without a doubt. More number of attacks, more threatening chances and a more calm, composed play along the pitch. Australia took their time to settle in and were not pushing for something extra. Both the teams hit the post and had a couple of goal scoring chances that they missed.

In the second quarter, India took it to another step, and showed more determination and grit than their counterparts. They enjoyed more possession and were able to control the flow of the game, Gurjit Kaur, who was misfiring her penalty corners struck gold with the first chance she got today and India were up by 1.

Third quarter saw more of Australia's attack but India were still stubborn at the back, not giving any room whatsoever for the Aussies to capitalize on. They continued to hold shape and continued to attack when given the chance. Australia saw more attacks here but had nothing on the scorecard to show for.

The final quarter saw Australia up the ante, and go all out attack. They enjoyed most of the possession and came in attack after attack for nothing. A few penalty corners as well, including the one in the final two minutes but none of them saw the back of the net. Savita yet again at her brilliant best, and as many times as we say that, it will still be less for what she has done this year.

Australia, a team that were bullying teams in the group stages, that were unbeaten in the group stages. They had conceded one goal before today in the 2020 Olympics and they would have been confident, that today even if they concede one, they have the potential to score 3. But today it was not meant to be.

Many penalty corners for Australia today, but all went down in vain. They tried some tricks, they tried some shots, but all were put away and were kept from going past the keeper.

Australia's best chance was right at the start with their first attack where they hit the post. That should have been a setting stone for them to capitalize on, which they did upto some extent, but where they failed, was finishing!

All chances were either flowing by past the goal post, or meeting with the Indian keeper, who was like a magnet today. All the shots, all the attacks that came her way, were deflected and put away.

Australia will not have believed, or even considered for a second, that today could be their final game in Tokyo. But they could not finish today, and that sums up their game.

They did dominate, not as they usually do throughout the game, but certainly they did show their calibre in parts and were threatening many a time. But their finishing was just not on the mark today!

They did it ! 🙌🔥

The #IND women's #hockey team makes it to the SEMI-FINALS after beating Australia by1️⃣ -0️⃣

What a historic moment for #IndiaSports.

Super proud ! #Go4Gold girls We can do it. #IndiaKaGame 🏑#Cheer4India 🇮🇳@ianuragthakur @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/LMXWx8JPSM
— Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) August 2, 2021

Let the celebrations begin!!

The new definition of 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐋 💙#AUSvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/woXyJulwvG
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 2, 2021

They started the game right on the front foot. They went for attack from the word go, and started looking threatening. Australia kept their cool, took their moments to attack, but they could not do prosper.

They had many attacks without a doubt, from the right, from the left, penetrating the circle at will, but the Indian defense line showed nerves of steel and stayed their ground.

Savita yet again, was at her brilliant best in goal, but Grace showed a different class altogether today. She lifted herself to a level that was no match for anyone. She lifted her teammates as well, and the defense line was at their very best.

Credits to all the midfielders and attackers too, as they were not stranded forward and were tracking back with the Australian players so as to help in defense and make life difficult for Australia.

Final scoresheet: India 1-0 Australia

The odds stacked against the Indian Women's Hockey Team. Early morning, people waking up to go to work, passing a comment in their household on how India will lose! But the Indian Women's Hockey Team were away from all the negativity and have overcome something massive!

Australia, ranked number 2 in the world, one of the contenders for the gold medal, a sure shot semi finalist, or so one thought!!! India triumph, and they do so not by sheer luck, but on merit. Their performance, their display of stubborness at the back, their display of fluent attacks, their will to win possession back, and most importantly their belief was no match for the Aussies today!

Wishes pouring in now! With everything that these women have sacrificed and all the efforts over the last 3-4 years, what a well deserved win for the Rani and Sjoerd Marine-led side!

6️⃣0️⃣ minute, ye 6️⃣0️⃣ minute hum hamesha yaad rakhenge. 🇮🇳

The Indian Women's Hockey team are through to the semis. 💙#AUSvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey pic.twitter.com/qjh4ebNUbC
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 2, 2021

#TOKYO2020 #STRONGERTOGETHER #HOCKEYINVITES @Hockeyroos v @TheHockeyIndia pic.twitter.com/ofZdJctKI5
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) August 2, 2021

Full time analysis: India have done the unthinkable, the unimaginable. They were almost out of the Olympics and are now marching onto the semi finals! A stellar performance without a doubt! They were well and out at one stage. They needed other results to work their way, and today here they stand PROGRESSING TO THE SEMI FINALS!

Words fail to describe the feeling at the moment! It is history and it something remarkable that cannot be measured!

Incredible Scenes
IMG-20210802-WA0005.jpg 132.95 KB

INDIA HAVE DONE IT! THE IMPOSSIBLE! HISTORY IS MADE! INDIANS GO UP IN JOY AND TEARS ROLL DOWN THEIR EYES! BUT A TAKE BOW CHAMPIONS FOR YOU DESERVE ALL THE CREDIT IN THE WORLD! WHAT A MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE!

Australia lose possession but gain it back immediately. India win it back and ater wasting time!

INDIA WINS!!!!

60' - India is the midfield, absolutely unbelievable in keeping the ball.

Oh my god! We have goosebumps right now as India are on the brink of making history! ONE LAST MINUTE!

60 seconds! The biggest in the history of Indian women's hokey.

Throwing numbers into the midfield!

Sensational stuff from India! They are not going down today! They are not conceding! Savita does everything right and keeps the ball out!

58' - India keeping the ball in the midfield.

Final 2 minutes!

Everyone in the circle as India defends for its life, It's a SAVE!

Unbelievable!

But a late decision by the umpire gives Australia another PC!

SAVE! SAVITA AT IT AGAIN! The ball is driven down her left but she kicks it out!

Australia with a golden opportunity now!

India needs to hold on here!

Referral upheld! PC! The match goes down to the wire.

A review from Australia for a penalty corner! Their referral is a success and they have a PC! A push inside the circle afterall!

India have been fantastic at the back! Grace, Monika, Savita, Neha, Sushila, everyone has been on their best and have barely put a foot wrong today. Just a little more and they will be through!

Sushila this time, keeps the ball from entering the danger zone and clears the ball rather nicely.

58' - India steals, taking time with the free hit. But Australia goes upstairs.

57' - India needs to avoid misguided aerials at the moment.

India truly on the brink of a watershed moment!

Final 3 minutes!

Another attack comes through the right side, and the Aussies ask for a free hit, but are denied!

56' - India does well again, neutralizes Claxton's strong attack again.

Australia after toying around both the flanks lose possession, but win it immediately just before the half way line.

Five minute to go!

56' - India steals, Sushila gets the Aussie foot again!

55' - Aussie on attack again. Long corner.

India are still maintaining their shape defensively and even the attackers are sprinting back when needed. India's efforts have been 200% today.

54' - Green card for Nikki Pradhan.

India on the counter, but the forward pass a little loose from Rani at the end, after an impressive run.

Final 7 minutes!

MAKE THAT TWO! She has been a wall today, Savita. Grace and Nisha too have been brilliant, and all together are just invincible at the moment! Aussie foot gives India the ball.