Paris 2024 Olympics: India Beat Australia First Time In Last 52 Years Of Summer Olympics

It was the last Group B match for Australia and India, who had already qualified for the quarterfinals, along with Belgium and Argentina in Group B. 

Paris 2024 Olympics: The Indian men's hockey team got a strong start against Australia  

India had a good start against Australia, as they managed a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. After Abhishek scored the opening goal, captain Harmanpreet Singh made the scoreline 2-0 just a minute later by successfully scoring from a penalty corner.

In the second quarter, Australia scored their first goal, thanks to Tom Craig’s goal from a penalty corner. 

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored another crucial goal from a penalty stroke in the early third quarter to make the scoreline 3-1. 

Five minutes before the final whistle, Australian Blake Govers made the scoreline 3-2 from a penalty stroke. However, the Aussies couldn’t find their third goal as the Indian men’s hockey team finally ended their long victory wait against Australia in the Summer Olympics. 

Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh also performed strongly in that historic match against Australia. 

Indian men's hockey team's previous Summer Olympic victory against Australia  

Before the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team last time beat Australia in a Summer Olympics long back in 1972 in Munich, where India won by 3-1, thanks to Mukhbain Singh’s hat-trick. 

India strongly finished in the Group B  

In the Paris 2024 Olympics, India ended Group B with 10 points in five games, with three wins, one draw, and one loss. After beating New Zealand (3-2) in their tournament opener, India drew with 2016 Olympic champions Argentina (1-1). Later, India defeated Ireland (2-0) before losing against the defending champions Belgium (2-1). 

On Sunday (4th August), India will compete in the quarterfinals. Their opponents will be decided later on Friday.