In the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, the fierce Indian women hockey team will be now fighting for bronze as it lost to Argentina 2-1 and had its gold and silver medal dreams squashed. After pulling off an upset against the massively talented Australian team, the Indian hockey women’s team was paired about against Argentina, an opponent that some losses and more wins this season. Sadly, the close fought encounter saw Indian team being knocked out of the semi-final and final berths and will now fight for the bronze medal.

Contents hide
1. Details
2. Quarter 1 – Dream Come True Start for Indian Team, 1-0 Lead
3. Quarter 2 – Argentina Equalizes 1-1
4. Half Time – Teams Misses out on Opportunities
5. Quarter 3 – Argentina Picks Up Momentum, 2-1
6. Quarter 4 – Rani Rampal Leads, Argentina Defends
7. Who will Indian Women Hockey Team Play for Bronze?

Details

The Indian women’s hockey team is now just one win away from clinching the elusive Olympic medal. Earlier, the Rani Rampal led team qualified for the knockout stage by putting up a solid defence against the current world number 2 Australia.

The game saw some incredible performance of the Indian women with the goal being scored in the 22nd minute thanks to a penalty converted by Gurjit Kaur. The rest of the game, Indian women defended with intention while not being passive in its play and thus, qualified for the game against Argentina.

Also Read: Indian Hockey Team Can End 41-Year Olympic Medal Drought, Confirmed to Fight for Bronze

Quarter 1 – Dream Come True Start for Indian Team, 1-0 Lead

In today’s semi-final game, India had a start where viewers wanted to pinch themselves as it was too good to be true and real. Penalty converting machine Gurjit Kaur again registered a brilliant penalty corner in the second minute of the game to give the Indian team a small yet significant 1-0 lead.

Quarter 2 – Argentina Equalizes 1-1

Over the course of the entire quarter there were no further goals scored with each side trying to hold the ball in their possession while being on the defensive. However, in the second quarter, Argentina’s Noel Barrionuevo jolted the Indian side as she registered the equalizing goal and kept Argentina well in the game.

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Half Time – Teams Misses out on Opportunities

The game progressed and by the half-time, both the team, trying too hard to register a goal to have a lead, missed out on simple opportunities. Vandana Katariya gave an excellent passed to Lalremsiami which the latter couldn’t trap. Similarly, the Indian team received a penalty which it couldn’t convert. In the Argentinian end, attempts were made to breach through the D, but nothing was successful.

Quarter 3 – Argentina Picks Up Momentum, 2-1

As the third quarter began, Argentina shifted the gears and soon took away the lead thanks to Barrionuevo scoring her second goal in the game to take Argentina to 2-1. The Indian side needed to be on the offensive, which it did so, but Argentina kept things tight and didn’t let India score another goal to equalize in the third quarter.

Also Read: Tokyo Olympics: Lovlina Borgohain Clinches Bronze, Goes Down Fighting Against World Champion

Quarter 4 – Rani Rampal Leads, Argentina Defends

In the fourth and final quarter it was quite visible that both the teams wanted to give their best. Argentinian coach, who usually is calm, was seen looking animated, throwing suggestions to his players on the field.

Rani Rampal was a true leader who led from the front and created chances out of thin air. Thanks to her attacks, Argentina conceded a penalty corner with 10 minutes less on the clock. However, the corner couldn’t be converted thanks to an excellent save from Maria Succi.

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Who will Indian Women Hockey Team Play for Bronze?

Although the gold and silver dreams are out of reach, Rampal will lead her team for a tryst with final glory. The Indian team will play for bronze medal and will be paired against Great Britain.

Given that Netherlands registered a 5-1 victory against Great Britain, the latter will be in the mood the end the season on a high note. On the other side, Rampal’s team will be interested in nothing short of a Bronze and creating a history.