Indian hockey players celebrate a goal during the quarterfinal match against Great Britain. India will be facing Germany in the men’s hockey semifinal at the Paris Olympics on August 6, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Ritu Raj Konwar
After showing its steely resolve and getting past Great Britain in the quarterfinals despite being a man down, India will be ready to tackle the situation arising out of defender Amit Rohidas’ absence when it takes on World champion Germany in the men’s hockey semifinals of the Olympics at the Yves du Manoir Stadium in Paris on August 6.
India clinched its first-ever Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey in 1928. The team secured a significant victory, paving the way for many more triumphs in subsequent Olympics. Dhyan Chand emerged as the star with 15 goals.
Indian hockey wizard Dhyan Chand moves with the ball in the match against the U.S. which India won by 24 goals to 1 during the Los Angeles Olympic Games 1932. The Indian team scored 35 goals in two matches to clinch the gold medal.
Dhyan Chand goes over a defender as India beat France 10-0 during the Berlin Olympic Games hockey match on August 12, 1936. India defeated host Germany 8-1 in the final to secure its third gold medal.
India's goalkeeper L. Pinto rushes out to intercept a Dutch forward in the semi-final against Holland while Trilochan Singh and Gentk (second from left) anxiously watch on, during the Olympic Games Hockey match at the 1948 Olympics. India won its first Olympic medal as an independent nation, defeating Great Britain 4-0 in the final.
Pankaj Gupta celebrates with Dharam Singh. The Indian players' joy knew no bounds after winning gold at the Helsinki Olympic Games 1952.
Balbir Singh Sr. and his team made history by securing India’s sixth consecutive gold medal in men’s hockey. The players get a grand welcome in Madras on December 22, 1956.
Danish goalkeeper Nielsen dives to save from the attacking Indian player Udham Singh, in the eliminating round of the Olympic Games hockey match between India and Denmark at Rome on August 28, 1960. India’s gold-medal run came to an end as the team lost in the final to take home the silver medal.
Charanjit Singh, captain of the Indian hockey team waves from the podium to the crowd after beating Pakistan in the final of the 1964 Olympic Games hockey tournament in Tokyo
India’s Gurbux Singh (right) and Balbir Singh II (left) celebrate after the second goal against Germany which won India the bronze medal at the 1968 Olympic Games held at Mexico City.
India's Singh Kulwant, centre, pierces through Pakistan defence of Munawaruz Zaman and Akhtarul Islam during the Olympic games hockey match at Munich on September 8, 1972. Pakistan won 2-0 as India ended with a bronze medal.
The victorious Indian Hockey Team after winning the Gold Medal defeating Spain 4-3 in the Olympics in Moscow on July 31, 1980. It would be India’s last gold medal in hockey.
Indian players pose as they celebrate their victory over Germany in the men's field hockey bronze medal match, at the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo. It was India’s first Olympic medal in hockey in 41 years.
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The defence has overcome its shortcomings, shown in early pool matches, to grow stronger. It passed the Great Britain test in flying colours and will be eager to present the same grittiness and composure against Germany, which has scored the maximum goals and has won five out of its six matches so far.
India, which thwarted the German challenge in the bronze medal contest in Tokyo, recorded a win and a loss against Germany during the FIH Pro League in June. But that was in the build-up phase when teams were trying out different things. In the Olympics proper, the intensity may be at a different level.
While Manpreet did a good job as Rohidas’ replacement in back and is likely to carry out the responsibility again. India will have to manage with one player less on the bench and it may impact the rolling substitution.
The team will look to carry on its well-coordinated efforts with stress on keeping its post safe from German invasion, which has produced 14 field goals for the World champions.
In contrast, India has scored eight of its 11 goals through penalty corners or strokes. Needless to say, drag-flicker Harmanpreet will be crucial to India’s scheme of things in the absence of Rohidas – who also works as a penalty corner specialist and a rusher to block opponents’ corners.
Germany, which has gained from its prolific scorers, including Christopher Ruhr and Justus Weigand, will try to continue its dominance and put India under pressure after seeing off Argentina in the quarterfinals.
With Germany on top of its game and India keen to shine in adversity, the duel may offer a treat to the eyes.
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