Historic day for women’s hockey team, beats Australia to enter Olympics semifinals for first time

Tokyo, August 2

A brave and determined Indian women’s hockey team went down the history books by entering the Olympic Games semifinals for the first time, stunning three-time champions and world No.2 Australia 1-0 in an intense last-eight tie here today.

A day after the Indian men’s team entered the Olympics semifinals following a 49-year gap, the world No. 9 women’s side also produced a phenomenally gritty performance to enter the last-four.

Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur rose to the occasion when it mattered and converted India’s lone penalty corner in the 22nd minute to surprise the Australians.

Coming into the match, the odds were totally against India as Australia, a mighty unbeaten opponent, awaited them.

“We are so happy, it is the result of hard work that we put in. In 1980, we qualified for the Games but this time, we made the semifinals. It is a proud moment for us,” Gurjit said after the match. “This team is like a family, we have supported each other and found support from the country as well. We are very happy,” she added.

But the Indians, determined to prove a point, produced a strong and brave performance to eke out the narrow win over the Hockeyroos. How much it meant for them and Indian hockey in general could be gauged from the emotions that were on display after the final hooter went off. The players screamed, hugged each other, and got into a huddle with their Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne’s cheeks drenched in tears of joy.

Day to remember for Kamal

Discus thrower Kamalpreet Kaur finished a creditable sixth at her first Olympics in a rain-interrupted final while sprinter Dutee Chand ended her campaign on a disappointing note by failing to qualify for the 200 metres semifinals here today.

The 25-year-old Kaur, who has qualified for the final as second best on Saturday, was never in the running for a medal in the eight rounds of competition interrupted by rain for more than an hour.

Her best throw of 63.70m in the third round saw her finished at sixth and equal 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Krishna Poonia’s performance in London.

The youngster, who was without her personal coach, looked nervous and short of confidence, perhaps due to lack of international exposure but she did hold her own in a field where the USA’s gold medallist Valarie Allman produced a 68.98m throw.

A farmer’s daughter at Punjab’s Kabarwala village, Kaur had raised hopes of India’s elusive athletics medal after finishing second in the qualification round on Saturday with a best throw of 64m.

In the morning session, sprinter Dutee ran her season’s best in 200m but that was not enough for a semifinals berth as she made a disappointing exit after finishing last in her heat race.

The 25-year-old clocked 23.85 seconds to finish seventh and last in Heat 4.

Fouaad ends 23rd

Meanwhile, equestrian Fouaad Mirza finished a creditable 23rd in eventing after he became the first Indian to reach the final of the event.

It was finally an end to their misery as Indian shooters ended their campaign. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Sanjeev Rajput failed to qualify for the finals of the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event, finishing 21st and 32nd respectively at the Asaka Shooting Range. — PTI

"We are so happy, it is the result of hard work that we put in. In 1980, we qualified for the Games but this time, we made the semifinals. It is a proud moment for us>" — Gurjit Kaur

"Impressed with the way the Indians defended after the goal. They didn’t just defend the lead, they almost attacked the lead. They were not afraid to go up and press the Australians. The men’s game made us much more uncomfortable yesterday than the Australian women. Credit to the Indian women’s team." — Viren Rasquinha, former India hockey captain

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.