India vs Germany Hockey, Paris Olympics 2024 Semi Final Highlights: India’s wait for a hockey gold continued after a thrilling 3-2 defeat against Germany in the semifinal of men’s hockey at Paris 2024 Olympic Games late on Tuesday night.
Germany will now face Netherlands in an all-European final on Thursday night while India will take on Spain slightly earlier on the same day in a bid to retain their bronze from Tokyo.
India captain Harmanpreet Singh had scored for India in the seventh minute to give them a 1-0 lead in the game. But a Gonzalo Peillat dragflick early in the second quarter and Christoher Ruhr’s stroke just before half-time turned the India vs Germany Paris Olympics semi-final over its head. India hit back with a superb third quarter where Sukhjeet Singh scored the equaliser.
But Germany took the lead in the 54th minute and held on despite a late Indian siege, to leave the Indian players crestfallen at the ned.
Coming into the semis, the Indian hockey team displayed a tenacious performance against Great Britain in the quarterfinal at the iconic Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Sunday to make it to the Paris Olympics semis. Playing with 10 men for close to 40 minutes after Amit Rohidas was shown a red card for hitting rival forward Will Calnan on his face, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side defended stoutly to hold Great Britain 1-1 in regulation time and force a shoot-out, where they emerged 4-2 winner.
But it wasn’t easy for the Indians in the semis as key defender and first rusher Amit Rohidas has been suspended from the semifinal match after receiving red against Britain. Rohidas’ absence weakened India’s options from penalty corners on both defence and offence.
Germany are ranked fourth in the world, the Indians are a rung below. Germany, who beat Argentina 3-2 in the quarterfinal, are familiar opponents for India in high-stakes tournaments, the most famous being the bronze medal match in Tokyo where India registered a thrilling 5-4 win, thanks a stunning last-second save by Sreejesh.
Our senior reporter Mihir Vasavda is in Paris to cover the Olympics. Please click here to read the Paris 2024 drama unfold through Mihir’s eyes and words.
