Playing with 10 men for almost three quarters, India still managed to eke out a remarkable shoot-out victory in the quarterfinal against Great Britain to book a place in the semifinal of the men's hockey competition at the Paris Olympics. (Highlights | Medal Table | Schedule & Results | Full Coverage)
After a resolute display of defence to stop Great Britain at 1-1 in regulation time, India claimed a 4-2 victory in the shootout riding on veteran goal-keeper PR Sreejesh's heroics.
For India, Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Upadhyay and Raj Kumar Pal all were able to beat British goal-keeper Ollie Payne. For Great Britain, James Alberry and Zachary Wallace converted their shots but Sreejesh ensured Conor Williamson and Phil Roper missed.
The victory sent India into back-to-back Olympic semifinal and they will face one of Argentina or Germany in their last four encounter.
Great Britain started the match on the front-foot, earning three PCs in the first quarter. However, India also kept threatening the British goal post but could not convert any of three back-to-back PCs towards the end of the first quarter. The first quarter ended with both teams still looking for the opening goal of the match.
It was the second quarter that was the most action-filled. Just in the third minute of the quarter, Amit Rohidas was shown a red card for raising his stick deliberately to the face of opponent player. India were reduced to 10 men but they managed to strike soon after the send-off to Rohidas.
Skipper Harmanpreet got his drag flick right to give India the lead. Great Britain soon equalised as Lee Morton scored from a field effort in the 27th minute. The score remained 1-1 at half-time.
For the second half, India went on the defensive even as Britain continued to threaten Sreejesh's goal every now and then. India did not get a single circle entry in the third quarter while Britain got six. Although, India did the most important things: not concede.
In the next quarter as well, India's defence remained resolute even though Britain would rue at least two missed chances which could have easily been converted. The game was stretched into the shootout as Indian defence refused to budge.
Sreejesh rose to the occasion in the shoot-out to lift India into the semi-final of what is his last Olympic appearance.
