Olympics 2021: Indian men's side edge Germany 5-4 in a thriller, secure a medal after a gap of 41 years

The full match analysis is finally out and we wouldn't want to keep you here long! Make sure that you check out the report for this massive win for the Indian men's hockey team. There will be plenty to talk about in the coming few days as the win could auger in a new era for Indian hockey.

Before that, there's one more game that all Indian fans will be following closely and that's the women's bronze medal match. It's time that we cheer for the Indian with just as much fervor; tune in for India vs Great Britain women's bronze medal play-off, schedule to be played at 7am IST on Friday, August 6. It's goodbye for now, stay safe and keep cheering for the Indian athletes!

What a fantastic tournament for the Indians! They lost just two games, and both to the only two teams better than them with respect to world rankings, and performance! But overall, it has been a historic two weeks for Indian Hockey! An Olympic Medal after 41 years of wait, is something the country will cherish and pride themselves upon.

But a big shout out to every player of that team who has given it their all! It's been a successful Tokyo Olympics 2020 for the Indian Hockey Team, and they will return as heroes! They have restored faith in the entire nation, and have inspired a new generation of kids without a doubt!

We're sure you will be remembering and relating to Chak De and will compare this feat to that, but let's not forget to appreciate one of the biggest support systems, one of the biggest reasons for the result we have got, the coach of the Indian Hockey Team, Graham Reid. Remember this name, for his name along with the payers' name will be etched in history!

A proud proud moment for so many people, and a dream come true for an entire nation! Our boys have done us proud and they deserve all the credits, for it is only the beginning of a bright, bright future!

What an unbelievable comeback indeed. The men in blue have done it and the entire Sportskeeda team extends its congratulations to the the Manpreet Singh and Graham Reid-led side. It's time to take in the massive moment as the fans back home feel nothing but pure joy!

#IND has done it!

They overcome a two-goal deficit against #GER to win their first Olympic #Hockey medal since 1980!@fih_hockey @WeAreTeamIndia pic.twitter.com/WAj5vVvHBu
— Olympics (@Olympics) August 5, 2021

FT🇩🇪4-5🇮🇳

FULL TIME! It is India who claim the Olympic bronze medal here at Tokyo 2020, winning a thrilling match 5-4. Germany battered India in the dying stages, but India held on. @TheHockeyIndia @DHB_hockey

Match info: https://t.co/Utg8U8t9Pb #Tokyo2020 #Hockey #GERvIND
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) August 5, 2021

Final match analysis.

India started on the backfoot, with the Germans pushing to their strengths, pushing for glory, and pushing for sheer domination. They took a very early lead in the game to show who is in charge, but if only they knew what was coming. India looked shaky at the start, were under pressure and were still trying to figure out how to go about things. Germany enjoyed possession for most of the time, and kept dictating terms.

At the start of the second quarter, India through a brilliant play, through a magnificent pass down the center, and with a fantastic reverse shot of Simranjeet got the game back to square one. But the Germans, being their adamant selves, upped the ante and begun causing more damage to the then vulnerable defense.

But India knew one thing, to not go back without a medal! They struck back quick in the second quarter, and with some impressive attacks. Being two goals down, they would have been written off, but they were far from it. Hardik and Harmanpreet, through two penalty corners, late in the second quarter put two quick goals past the German defense to square things up just before the half time whistle.

But where India struck gold, was the third quarter! They began the quarter, just like the finished the second, dominating, and attacking with ease, creating many chances. Rupinder Singh scored a penalty stroke won early in the quarter, and to cause more damage Simranjeet Singh came up with an exquisite finish from close range to double the lead.

From being two goals up, to being two goals down, Germany were blown away and were trying to figuring out where they went wrong. They continued coming back stronger and trying to penetrate the circle, but the Indian defense did not budge and held fort.

For the final 15 minutes, with a lead of 2 goals, all India had to do was focus on defense, because they knew Germany will not go down easy. Right from the first second, attacks kept coming, but the men in blue were completely different at back end and did a fabulous job to not concede for most of the quarter.

Germany did manage to score through a penalty corner, but where they missed their chances, is to not score as many from the number of penalty corners they got. Just 1 out of 13 was their conversion rate, and that goes a lot to say about the Indian defense and that Indian keeper who was on his very best throughout the tournament.

Attacks kept coming the Indian way, and they did absolutely everything right to maintain the lead. On the final move, the Germans won their last penalty corner, but Sreejesh with his nerves of steel, was not letting anything past him. Ha saved the shot and ensured India win the Bronze Medal!

𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐖𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐃🥉𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐓... 🇮🇳 😍 💪

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

And after all of that, it is finally time to let the celebrations begin!

Tears roll down skipper Manpreet's Singh's eyes, out of joy, out of relief, out of happiness, and out of immense pride! The emotions in the Indian camp will be at an all time high! And how fitting to see Sreejesh at the heart of it all! Last attack, a penalty corner for the opposition, and Sreejesh rises up to the occasion, with probably one of the most important saves in his lifetime!

Q4🇩🇪4-5🇮🇳

SREEJESH SAVES! INDIA WIN THE BRONZE MEDAL!

India's first Olympic medal in 41 years. What an incredible match. Heartbreak for Germany, who were magnificent. @TheHockeyIndia @DHB_hockey

Match info: https://t.co/Utg8U8t9Pb #Tokyo2020 #Hockey #GERvIND
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) August 5, 2021

Final scoresheet:<Insert Caption>

A long long wait! A dream of over a billion people! A dream of many many years! India have triumphed and are they will go down in History!

THE WAIT OF 41 YEARS HAS COME TO AN END! THE MEN'S INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM WIN THE BRONZE MEDAL!

SREEJESH HAS DONE IT!

It is an Olympic bronze for India!!!

Sreejesh SAVESSSS!!!

Final Play!!!

60' - It is going down to the wire as Germany awarded their 13th Penalty Corner with 6 seconds to go!!!!

PENALTY CORNER FOR GERMANY! Rohidas is hit on his leg and Germany maybe just maybe in the final play could level things!

Another penetration from Germany, but it comes out to nothing!

Germany pressing up with everything they have, but the Indians not budging!

60' - Long Corner Germany, but Gurjant clears!!!

The Indian Hockey Team on the verge of history!

60' - India is so close as they have the ball. But Germany gets the possession!

INDIA HAVE TO HOLD ON FOR JUST UNDER A MINUTE!

Final 60 seconds!!!

58' - India at the cusp of the attacking circle and HISTORY!

57' - SAVEEE! as the rushers come out with purpose. The rebound hits the top post and India holds on!

Germany miss!!!! Sreejesh SAVES!!! Oh what drama here! Germany had the ball on the rebound as well, but could not make much use of it!

Could this prove costly for India? Germany with a golden opportunity to set things back at level pegging.

57' - And they're punished as Germany gets a Penalty Corner!

Penalty Corner for Germany!

57' - India leaving the German forwards unmarked as they enter the circle.

The Indian defense will have to be at their absolute best to not concede!

Just under 4 minutes now!

56' - Crucial to keep the ball as India fall on the backfoot.

India with an attack here can make it count, with no keeper! But Germany with an extra attacker could be ruthless!

An attack straightaway India as they go for another goal to create some cushion!

55' - Germany given the possession, but Amit Rohidas with an immediate steal. German GK comes off as they'll play with an extra out-field player!

Right, ready to continue now! Germany with the possession but loose it in a second! India with the possession!

Clock is stopped as players debate on ball possession.

There seems to be some confusion in the middle! The official storms out on the pitch with a German representative.

We are in the endgame now. 🤞

Last five minutes of the game.

🇩🇪 4:5 🇮🇳#GERvIND #HaiTayyar #IndiaKaGame #Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia #TokyoTogether #StrongerTogether #HockeyInvites #WeAreTeamIndia #Hockey
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 5, 2021

Sumit goes down inside the circle and looks in agony! He's been helped off the field! Germany with possession!

Final 5 minutes!

55' - India pressing forward as Hardik and Nilkantha come up with a good run. Too many numbers in the circle as Sumit takes a hit amidst the chaos!

54' - Indian defnese holds strong as it is the German foot on the second circle penetration. Indian ball.

Sreejesh to the rescue with a dive to his right to save! Germany back with full strength now!

53' - India SAVE!!! Sreejesh saves and Ruhr misses on the rebound!

Germany with a golden golden chance to equalise! Sreejesh has been penalized for charging up when the scoop was coming in.

Olympics 2021: Indian men's side edge Germany 5-4 in a thriller, secure a medal after a gap of 41 years

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