In the second match of the Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, the Indian women’s team secured a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics despite a loss to the United States. In the second match of the qualifiers played in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, the 13th ranked American team defeated the Indian team 4–1, despite the defeat, Indian eves qualified for the Olympics for the second consecutive time on the basis of highest goals margin. Not to forget, Rani Rampal’s team won the first game of the qualifier 5-1 which sums up the goal margin to 6-5 in India’s favour.
Trailing 0-4, captain Rani Rampal converted a brilliant goal in the 49′ minute of the game to take India forward. The Indian defense was off guard in starting two quarters but they improved considerably to bounce back in style.
Kalinga se Tokyo tak! ✈️#TeamIndia have successfully sealed their spot in @Tokyo2020 Olympics by ousting as Champions in the two-legged @FIH_Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Odisha!#IndiaKaGame #INDvUSA #RoadToTokyo #Tokyo2020 #KalingaKalling #GiftOfHockey pic.twitter.com/KCQQ32Y2BW
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 2, 2019
After the women’s match, the Indian men’s team showed tremendous run and defeated a low lying Russia to book a ticket to Tokyo. The Indian team beat Russia 7–1 on the back of all round shot. Earlier in the first match of the qualifiers, Manpreet Singh and company won 4-2 which brings the overall goal tally to 11-3.
Indian defense was off guard in the very first minute of the game and the Russians striked in the 1st minute to give an early blow to India. The Indian forwards were in action right from the second quarter and mid fielder Lalit Kumar Upadhyay converted in the 17th minute to level the scores.
Striker Akashdeep Singh showed his magical stick work to strike in 23rd and 29th minute of the game. Russian defense contained the Indian strikers in the 3rd quarter but it was eventually broken by mid fielder Nilakanta Sharma in the 47th minute.
Ace drag flicker Rupinder Pal Singh converted two pc’s in 48th and 59th minute of the game. Local boy Amit Rohidas, gave a hurtful send off to the visitors as he netted past the bars in the 60th minute of the game.
HdhjdjdbdjdndndnddnkekskakbekayiehdjehenensbdndbebebeebYeaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!
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We can’t keep calm coz we’re coming to Tokyo!??#IndiaKaGame #RoadToTokyo #Tokyo2020 #KalingaKalling #GiftOfHockey pic.twitter.com/H2Yvps6jIX— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 2, 2019
