The Indian men’s hockey team will compete for bronze for the second consecutive Olympics after losing 3-2 to world champions Germany in the Paris 2024 semi-finals on Tuesday. Ranked fifth, India started strong with Harmanpreet Singh’s penalty corner goal in the seventh minute. Germany, ranked second, equalized through Gonzalo Peillat (18’) and took the lead with Christopher Ruehr’s penalty stroke (27’).
India, the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallists, equalized again through Sukhjeet Singh’s deflection (36’). However, Marco Miltkau’s goal (54’) secured Germany’s place in the final, preventing India from reaching their first final since Moscow 1980.
India will face Spain, who lost 4-0 to the Netherlands, in the bronze medal match. Playing at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, India started positively, earning an early penalty corner. Harmanpreet, India’s top scorer at Paris 2024, capitalized on their pressure, scoring his eighth goal of the tournament.
Germany responded effectively in the second quarter. Despite missing key chances, India kept pressing but couldn’t convert opportunities. Germany took the lead with Ruehr’s penalty stroke before half-time.
In the second half, India missed an early chance but equalized through Sukhjeet’s deflection. The match remained tight until Miltkau’s late goal. India removed goalkeeper PR Sreejesh for an extra attacker but couldn’t find an equalizer. Missing suspended defender Amit Rohidas, India fought hard but fell short.
India had previously beaten Spain 3-0 in the Tokyo 2020 group stage. They will aim for another bronze on Friday at the same venue.
Leave a Reply