Tokyo Olympics: India women’s hockey team beats Australia 1-0, reaches semifinal

India women’s hockey team beat Australia 1-0 in the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Olympics and will now face Argentina in the semifinals on Wednesday. This is the first time in Olympic history that an Indian women’s hockey team has made it to the last four.

The women’s hockey team achieved the feat a day after the men’s team entered the Olympic semifinals. The men’s team made it to the semis after a gap of 49-years. 

Coming into the match, the odds were stacked against India as they were up against the world no. 2.  But the Indian girls, determined to prove a point, produced a strong and brave performance to snatch a narrow win over the Hockeyroos.

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The Indian defence, led by goalkeeper Savita Punia, ensured that the Australians could not score a goal in the match.

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

“We are so happy, it is the result of hard work that we put in for several, several days. 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.

India’s best performance in the Olympics came way back in the 1980 Moscow Games where they finished fourth among six teams.

In that edition of the Games, women’s hockey made its debut in the Olympics and the sport was played in a round-robin format with top two teams qualifying for the final.

The Rani Rampal-led side will play Argentina in the semifinal on Wednesday.