India may have lost 5-2 to Belgium at Tokyo Olympics semifinal but this was special for the men’s hockey team

Aug 3, 2021

By: Mona Pachake

Credit: BCCL

India vs Belgium

Belgium, finalists for the second Olympics in a row, may have had the last laugh but reaching the semifinals was no small feat for Team India.

Credit: BCCL

Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh

The Indian team reclaimed lead after an early goal from Belgium with goals from Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh

Credit: BCCL

Alexander Hendrickx

The lead remained intact until the fourth quarter before Belgium’s Alexander Hendrickx went on to score a hatrick.

Credit: Twitter

​A long-awaited dream

It took 49 years for the Indian men's hockey team to qualify for the Olympic semifinals against Belgium, who have been unbeaten in this tournament.

Credit: BCCL

IND vs AUS

India fought back to reach semifinals after a devastating 7-1 loss to Australia in the group stage.

Credit: BCCL

​Rupinder Pal Singh and Simranjeet Singh

Rupinder Pal Singh and Simranjeet Singh scored three goals between them as India beat Spain 3-0 and India moved to the second spot in Pool A.

Credit: BCCL

PR Sreejesh

Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh pulled off a lightning quick double-save to ensure India kept the lead in the quarter-final game against Great Britain.

Credit: BCCL

Amit Rohidas

Defender Amit Rohidas completed 100 senior international caps for the Indian men's Hockey team.

Credit: BCCL

​Birendra Lakra

Birendra Lakra played his 200th match in the Tokyo Olympics this year. He achieved this milestone in the match against Spain

Credit: BCCL

Vivek Sagar Prasad

Vivek Sagar Prasad (21) became the second youngest player ever, after Sandeep Singh, to represent India.

Credit: BCCL

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