Paris Olympics Hockey: 10-men India break Great Britain hearts

Paris —  This was some defence near La Défense. India, somehow, first staved off Great Britain’s 11 players with old school defensive grit and then thwarted their opposition’s modern day tech, as they won an Olympic men’s quarter-final shoot-out this afternoon having played with nine outfielders for all but 17 minutes after a rare red card to Amit Rohidas.

The stick-to-the-face moment came before Harmanpreet Singh had given India a shock lead and Lee Morton levelled. The floodgates looked set to open towards a semi-final place for GB after the Scot’s goal. Instead, an Indian wall emerged and then talismanic goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s heroics delayed his retirement by one more match.

With India gallantly holding out with a low press and a second-half of few counters, it left GB trying to plough through a crowded defence. It played to India’s advantage, especially with GB’s mounting desperation and penalty corner routines falling short. Or was it the novelty of playing against 10 men? After all, following Hockey Paper enquiries and no database on the subject, it transpired that only four red cards had been issued at Test match level since 2013.

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Thus, at the final hooter, India’s players thrashed the air in delight at taking it to a shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. It looked ominous for GB. Sure enough, on-field joy then swept across the astro and the pockets of light blue in the packed stands as Sreejesh proved the star between the posts. He stood tall, smothering and saving two GB shoot-outs as India advanced to the semi-finals 4-2 against a GB men’s side many had fancied unlocking a first medal since those Seoul heroics in 1988.

India simply locked up their last line of defence display here. Their coach Craig Fulton hailed the final third display as “amazing”. And it really was. “The relief was there, the effort was there, and that’s why I think we made it,” offered Harmanpreet.

If extra-time was still the ruling in hockey, they may still have held out such was this backs-to-the-wall focus.

From the 23m line, James Albery had forced Sreejesh the wrong way for the opening shoot-out. Harmanpreet, after a technology hooter fail stopped his first run, made sure of parity with an easy push. Will Calnan stepped up and after his two chances in normal time, sent a low, skilled backhand into the backboard. India were again delayed when GB’s team iPad, which goalkeeper Ollie Payne had in his baseline corner, was whipped away by a no-nonsense FIH official as team manager Paul Gannon pleaded his case. It was nonchalently waved away and will likely see India lodge a complaint.

Conor Williamson went up next and skied his reverse over Sreejesh’s goal. Upadhay showed GB how to do it, calmly flicking on the backhand past Payne. Phil Roper again carried left for GB and this time Sreejesh smothered the shot on the target. Kumar Pal made no mistake. As cool as if back in the heat of Bangalore training. Cue utter mayhem.

GB had earlier held court in the Indian half in the opening five minutes – and it set the tone for normal time. Not that they knew what was to follow. There was a chance too for a first set piece. Twice Gareth Furlong flicks were snaffled. This was going to be a pivotal battle. One that they failed to make inroads, with their 10 corner chances.

It took eight minutes for India to reach the GB 23m, and another four for the first shot on goal in the match when Liam Sanford gifted turnover from his circle and Harmanpreet set up the first sighting for Payne. He cleared forcefully with the pads.

Moments later, as the game opened up, GB’s fourth penalty corner was stick blocked before the line by Manpreet Singh and Sreejesh swatted to safety. Payne, with his right boot, did the same as India accrued three corners on the bounce. The quarter finished with even possession. 

The second quarter finished with uneven players when Rohidas and Calnan battled for the ball on the centre line. As the Indian defender tried to get in front, he needlessly raised his stick and elbow and connected with Calnan. The umpire’s referral veered towards a 10-minute yellow. The video umpire landed for a straight red. There seemed to be momentary silence in the stands. Indeed, the last time one can remember a red at global level came at the 2022 Commonwealths, following a 15-man brawl.

What a different complexion this game – a repeat of the Tokyo 2020 last eight – now took on. “I always said, when you make Indian players angry you’re in for a really hard time,” Indian’s mental coach, Paddy Upton, said afterwards.

As No.1 runner, Rohidas’ departure was crucial. It was up to GB’s castle to make India pay. Yet, India landed the first sucker punch in the 22nd minute when Harmanpreet flicked centrally as Payne took a step to his right. 

The first signs of the extra advantage only came to the fore deep into the third quarter when Jack Waller fed Rupert Shipperley, whose deflection went just wide. With the next counter, GB fed the ball to both baselines. Morton had time to trap and, unmarked, flicked beyond Sreejesh in the 27th minute. The longer India held out at 1-0, the more edgy this could have become. Late in the quarter, this was a crucial leveller.

With GB’s increasing corner hitters failing from the castle, the rebounds were now now becoming crucial. Calnan had the best chance of the second half with a reverse volley easily saved by Sreejesh. Their set piece routine now lined up for a 10th attempt. Again, Sreejesh saved without moving, this time with his left boot.

India’s frantic bids to clear saw a green card to Sumit for a late hit after the whistle which clattered into Tom Sorsby. It meant India, who had held out for 28 minutes with 10 men, would start the final 15 minutes with nine. 

But there was no change to the match rhetoric in the final quarter. No clear chance on star man Sreejesh’s goal and little circle creativity. India had tightened the discipline in the final third, too. A unique match posing a creative problem for GB.

The game – and GB – needed counter attacks. They got it with five minutes left when Zach Wallace broke and fed Calnan, whose forehand on the run forced a fine reflex save from Sreejesh. It was the last clear cut chance before India somehow held out for the 23m drama.

Had this been 11 v 11, well, GB may well have had the game to beat India. “Ultimately, one or two more goals and we could easily have won that game,” said Roper. “Credit to India, they played really well, defended really well and they’ve got a really good goalkeeper. But massive opportunity missed by us.” And, for a brief moment, by their iPad.