K. ARUMUGAM
Second August 2024 is a historic day for Indian hockey. Harmanpreet Singh led Indian outfit at Paris did what a couple of generation of Indian hockey players had tried, dreamt and longed for but could not: Victory over Australia in a major FIH tournaments like Olympics. Today, the dream has turned into a reality, a bright streak of sunlight had dawned. Fast and precise from the word go, India tamed roaring Australians for a 3-2 win, after leading them 3-1 for larger part. It was India’s Olympic win over Australia in 52 years, the last coming in Munich. Further, its also first ever win over their famed rivals in Olympics on turf. .
What happened today is antithesis of Tokyo where India finished third, a bronze after 41 years but in the journey to regain the medal, there was a phase when it almost not only appeared impossible but also humiliating. The trigger for that was none other than the Aussies. They bulldozed India to a humiliating 6-1 loss as if it is some game in Sultan Azlan Shah or Commonwealth Games. All well laid out plans of Graham Reid were laid bare. Today victory therefore is sweeter than it sweets.
India had previously won thrice against Australia in the Olympic Amphitheatre — in 1960, 1964 &1972 but all these came on natural grass grounds. It came near to beat them at Sydney, what with a flash strike by Mukesh Kumar within a minute from the start, but the match ended 2-2, controversially though. India played Australia twice in the Champions Trophy finals before the genre of competition was shut out, but on both occasions the matches ended draw. It appeared so in Paris too, as the Australians were trying to do a Sydney but credit should go to four-time Olympians PR Sreejesh who gave his best today.
He is the architect of today marvelous win.
India seemingly adopted a different strategy today for the last pool game. It played to the strength of Australians, the speed and precision. India’s ability to break from defence mode to attack, that too seamlessly, must be acknowledged.
We have so far witnessed India indulging in a full pledge defense oriented game. We were not entertained but the team was getting points where it almost did not exist and won a match which it should have nearly drawn. The roller coaster ride has come to a grinding halt today. Thankfully.
It was indeed huge credit should go to hawkish Abhishek who stunned the threatening Aussies with an immaculate goal, leaping on to a rebound at the centre of the circle. The fout-time Olympian under the cage Andrew Carter could not stop his shot that thunderously entered home between his right leg and the left post. It was mere power that was packed with the shot that did the trick.
With two goals today captain Harmanpreet Singh, who faces wrath of section of die hard fans for not scoring off penalty corners, it can be said that he has only positivity lays ahead of him.
Australia has been a tormentor of Indian hockey for long since the 70s. Even on downhill, India used to defeat Europeans power houses here and there, but it was the case against the Australians who relied on speed, stamina and strength and, as Ric Charlesworth pointed out in his classic ‘THE COACH’ Australia had a generation of players who never lost to India!
Now, the tables have been turned, and it happened in Olympics is something praiseworthy.
India – Australia at Olympics (before Paris)
Played: 11
India won: 3 (1960 QF, ’64 SF, 1972 pool)
Australia won: 6 (’68 SF, 1976 pool, ’84, ’92, ’04 & ’21)
Draw: 2 (’76 & ’00)
India Goals: 18
Australia goals: 29 India yet to register Olympic win on turf.