Men’s Hockey Paris Olympics 2024 Highlights: India vs. Australia: Harmanpreet Strikes Twice, IND Clinch Historic 3-2 Win

Highlights of Australia vs. India in Men’s Hockey 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris: On Friday, Harmanpreet Singh and his team made history by becoming the first Indian team to overcome Australia in Olympic hockey in 52 years. The side defeated their renowned adversaries 3-2, with the Indian captain playing a key role in their amazing victory. He scored twice, once from a penalty corner and once with a penalty shot, while Abhishek also contributed to the score.

In his final international event, seasoned Indian goalie PR Sreejesh excelled in the net, producing several saves to preserve his team’s lead. For the record, India has not defeated Australia in an Olympic Games since the team’s 3-1 victory in Munich in 1972.

India has already advanced to the men’s hockey quarterfinals of the Olympics in Paris after defeating Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Their lone defeat was in a match against Belgium, where, at least in the first two quarters, they were clearly superior. Compared to the Red Lions, they had superior possession and more scoring opportunities. India scored their first goal of the game with Abhishek setting them up at the beginning of the second quarter.The Indian defence was excellent as well; it stopped the Belgian forwards from having any genuine scoring opportunities and stopped two attempts at penalty corners. Playing in his last international event, goalie PR Sreejesh stood like a rock in front of the goal. But the Belgians rallied strongly after the break, with goals from Thibeau Stockbroekx (33rd) and John-John Dohmen (44th) to secure the win. As a result, they went on to remain unbeaten in the group stage and top of Pool B.

India has already qualified for the quarterfinals, thus the outcome of this game will determine where they end up in the Pool B table, which will then determine who they play against in the round of eight. Belgium and Argentina, who finished fourth in Pool B, will play later on Friday. Meanwhile, there will be a head-to-head match between Germany and Great Britain.

During the quarterfinals, Pool B’s fourth-place team will play A’s table-topper, while Pool B’s third-place team will play A’s second-place team.