Indian hockey team scripted history after they won an Olympic medal after 41 years. The men in blue were defeated by Belgium 5-2 in the semi finals and they were up against Eurohockey championships 2021 silver medallist Germany in the bronze medal match.
Indian hockey team was trailing 3-1 after both teams were tied at 1-1 after one quarter. However, second quarter was a goal fest as India draw level at 3-3 after in-experienced German goalkeeper who had less than 20 caps was under tremendous pressure. Also read- Tokyo Olympics 2020: Best reactions after India wins bronze in men’s hockey
India dominated the third quarter after Rupinder Pal Singh and Simranjeet Singh converted through a penalty stroke and a field goal respectively. Germans went all out in the 4th quarter and won several penalty corners which they finally converted in 49th minute of the game. They kept building attacks but tough Indian defensive structure and some luck prevented another goal. Germany team removed their goal keeper when 4 minutes was left in the game to find an equalizer and kept building attacks on India.
With 15 seconds left on the clock, German team got the penalty corner and it was now or never opportunity which they could not convert, giving India a historic bronze medal. Germany were the Olympic champions of 2008 and 2012 Olympics and settled for bronze at Rio but it was a herculean effort to ousted Germany from a podium finish.
Tweets came and appreciated Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for hsi support to Indian hockey. Naveen, a hockey goalkeeper himself in his academic days at Doon School has been sponsoring Indian hockey team since 2018 with the name of state “Odisha” written on the jerseys of both men’s and women’s hockey players.
Odisha has roughly invested Rs. 150 crore for sponsoring the hockey team and the efforts finally got paid. People were all praises for Naveen and here are some best tweets.
Appreciation Tweet for CM @Naveen_Odisha – from tickets to women in elections, respectful co-ordination with PM @narendramodi and centre at times of need – to supporting the Indian Hockey Teams – he sets a great example for political leadership ?
— अद्वैता काला Advaita Kala ? (@AdvaitaKala) August 5, 2021
Thank you @Naveen_Odisha ! Without you , this wouldn’t have been possible ! #indvsGer
— Sumit (@sumitsaurabh) August 5, 2021
It was a game that @Naveen_Odisha Ji helped when Sahara backed out from sponsoring the Indian hockey teams in 2018, the Odisha govt signed a ₹100 crore deal with Hockey India to sponsor the men’s & women’s hockey teams over the next 5 #hocky #Hockey #hockeyindia #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/auFOpdIXn4
— Chiinmay Tiwarii (@Chinmay_TI) August 4, 2021
Not to forget his contribution in building Indian Hockey again.
Thank you @Naveen_Odisha#NaveenPatnaik#HockeyPride #Hockey pic.twitter.com/AHnsTTOWtk— Alok Ranjan ?? (@alokranjan02) August 5, 2021
Hello World!!
India as a country didn’t sponsor the Indian Hockey team, an Indian state called #Odisha sponsored the team and they have won today..
Thanking Hon CM Naveen Patnayak for the support ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NXkMhDd6En
— Stalin Jacob (@stalinjacka) August 5, 2021
Thank you for your relentless support to Indian Hockey.
#NaveenPatnaik @Naveen_Odisha only you deserve all praise. pic.twitter.com/zKuzdU6afQ— Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzaad) August 5, 2021
#NaveenPatnaik we love you sir proud of you our odisha is developing for you . More medals are coming on upcoming years . @Naveen_Odisha pic.twitter.com/LAwcPqNwqp
— Biraja Prasad Mishra (@BirajaPrasadMi8) August 5, 2021
Congratulations and kudos in big measure to @Naveen_Odisha, whose govt has been a steady sponsor of our hockey teams! #Hockey #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/w854uVbnxE
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) August 5, 2021
