Indian men's hockey team
Image credit - Twitter @KirenRijiju

With the winning of a bronze medal by the Indian men’s hockey team defeating Germany 5-4 in a pulsating game in Tokyo Olympics 2020 on Thursday, a 41-year wait was finally over.

For the last time, India won a medal in hockey at the 1980 Moscow Games where they clinched the gold.

Also read: India lose to Belgium 5-2 in men’s hockey semi-final at Tokyo Olympics 2020

Congratulating the Indian men’s hockey team for the victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian.”

“Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze. With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth. India is proud of our Hockey team,” Modi added.

PM Modi also spoke to the India hockey team captain Manpreet Singh, coach Graham Reid and assistant coach Piyush Dubey after the team won bronze against Germany.

According to a match report, goals from Rupinder Pal Singh, Hardik Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, in addition to a brace from Simranjeet Singh saw India through.

It was a topsy-turvy game where India went 0-1 and then 1-3 down, conceding two goals in as several minutes, before launching a comeback.

The Indian team went up 5-3 and had to endure some anxious moments showing determination and defensive resolve to end one of the longest droughts in the history of Indian sport.

The Indian penalty corner battery was a constant threat but they were also quite dangerous in open play, often catching the Germans with swift counter-attacks.

Germany scored through Timur Oruz, Niklas Wellen, Benedikt Furk and Lukas Windfeder, but in the end, they had to go back from Tokyo Olympics without a medal.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Indin men’s hockey team lost to Belgium 5-2 in the semi-final.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted: “After 41 years wait..! A golden moment for Indian Hockey and Indian Sports! Finally, long wait is over as India defeated Germany to win Hockey Men’s Olympic Bronze medal at #Tokyo2020.”
“India in complete celebration mood! Congratulations to our Hockey players !! ” he added.