The Indian
women’s hockey team made history on Monday, reaching the Olympic semifinals for
the first time in history as they beat three-time champions and world number two
side Australia at the Tokyo 2020 last eight.  

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Gurjit Kaur converted India’s lone penalty corner in the 22nd minute
as India edged Australia 1-0 at the Oi Hockey Stadium North Pitch, reaching the
semis a day after their male counterparts beat Great Britain at the same stage.

A moment of
unbridled emotion followed after the final whistle blew as the Australians sunk
to their knees in dejection while the Indians clamoured together in celebration
as the gravity of their historic feat sunk in.

What makes
the win extra-special is the fact that the tournament started on the worst-possible
note for the Indians, who lost their first three games of the tournament and
were unlikely to even progress past the group stage.

Also Read | Tokyo Olympics: Indian women hockey team’s historic victory wins hearts

The Rani
Rampal-led side started their campaign with a 5-1 drubbing against the world
number one Netherlands, following it up with a 2-0 reverse against world number
three Germany, before being handed another heavy, 4-1 loss by Great Britain.

However, Dutch
coach Sjoerd Marijne rallied his troops and orchestrated a 1-0 win against higher-ranked
Ireland in India’s next outing before a thrilling 4-3 over South Africa kept
their knockout hopes alive.

India’s
quarterfinal berth was only confirmed after Great Britain beat Ireland in the
final Pool A game. Ireland had a better goal difference than India and would
have qualified for the quarters if they had won.

Also Read | Sjoerd Marijne, the coach behind Indian women hockey team’s Chak De moment

And in the
quarter, against an odds-on favourite Australia side, India dug in for a memorable
1-0 win in what will go down as one of the brightest days for Indian women’s
hockey.

The team discovered
many heroes along the way as well. Veteran striker Vanadana Kataria made history
against South Africa, becoming the first Indian to score a hattrick at the Olympics, while Gurjeet
Kaur, whose abysmal record from penalty corners earlier in the tournament was a
cause of concern, rose to the occasion and scored against Australia. Goalkeeper Savita Punia also made a string of crucial saves
in all three wins and has earned the nickname ‘Great Wall’ by many on social
media.    

Next up for
India is Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday, where a historic Olympic medal awaits.