At the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday, the Indian men’s hockey team defeated Australia, the silver medalists from Tokyo 2020, 3-2 thanks to 2 goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh. This marked India’s first Olympic hockey victory over Australia since Munich 1972, or 52 years ago. India lost five of the seven games they have since played against each other before winning in Paris.
World No. 7 India’s goals came from captain Harmanpreet Singh (13′, 32′) and Abhishek (12′), whereas the fourth-ranked Australian team’s goals came from Thomas Craig (25′) and Blake Glovers (55′). At the Paris 2024 Olympics hockey tournament, Harmanpreet Singh has now scored six goals, matching his total from Tokyo 2020, when India earned the bronze medal.
On Friday, August 2, India stunned Australia 3-2 to win their last group match and advance to the quarterfinals. Harmanpreet Singh scored multiple times and displayed yet another masterful display of goalkeeping. With their best team ever, India also broke a 52-year drought by defeating Australia at the Olympics. In the twelfth minute, Abhishek gave India the advantage, which was swiftly doubled by Harmanpreet in the next minute as Sreejesh held off the Australian assaults.
