The Indian men's hockey team's dream of entering the Olympics final after 41-years remained unfulfilled as it lost 2-5 to world champions Belgium in the last-four sta▨ge but the side is still in the hunt for a bronze in the Tokyo Games on Tuesday.
Highlights | Schedule | News
Alexander Hendrickx (൩19th, 49th, 53rd minutes), the tournament's highest goal getter, scored a hat-trick while Loick Luypaert (2nd minute) and John-John Dohmen (60th) also struck to hand the reigning silver-medallists their second successive entry into the f🀅inal of the Olympics. India will face Germany in the bronze medal match. In the second semi-finals, Australia defeated Germany 3-1.
India's goals came from the sticks of Harmanpreet Sing💞h (7th) and Mandeep Singh (8th).
India's last appearance in the final of the Olympics came way back in 1980 Moscow 🧸Games, where they went on to win their last of the eig✱ht gold medals.
The Indians had only themselves to blame for Tuesday's disappointment as Belg🍨ium's all four goals came from penalty corner🧔s.
The Indian defence was put under relentless pressure by the Belgians as they secured as many as 14 penalty corners 𝐆o꧒ut of which they converted four.
Belgium's game plan was clear from the onset as they tried to enter the Indian circle and earn penalty corners wit🍸h Hendrickx and Luypaert in their ranks.
The ploy worked to perfection as the Indian defence wilted under pressure t👍o concede the 🎀set pieces.
India too earned five penalty corners in the match but could make use of ju🌱st one.
The Indians still have a chance to secure an elusive medal from the Olympics as they will feature in the bronze medal match on Thursday against the losing team fr♎om the second semifinal between Australia and Germany later in the day.
