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

Paris —  India, somehow, first beat Great Britain’s 11 players and then thwarted their opposition iPad as they won a quarter-final shoot-out playing with nine outfielders for 43 minutes after a red card to Amit Rohidas. This after Harmanpreet Singh had given India a shock lead before Lee Morton levelled. The floodgates looked set to open. Instead, an Indian wall emerged and then PR Sreejesh delayed his retirement.

With India gallantly holding a low press and a second-half of few counters, it left GB trying to unlock a crowded Indian defence. It played to India’s advantage, especially with GB’s PC routines falling short.

At the final hooter, India’s players thrashed the air in delight and then on-field joy swept across the astro as Sreejesh proved the star, standing tall, smothering and saving two GB shoot-outs as India advanced to the semi-finals 4-2. The fact they got there was down to their last line defence. India coach Craig Fulton hailed the final third display as “amazing”. And it 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, they may still have held out.

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. 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 iPad, which Ollie Payne had in his corner, was taken away by an official as team manager Paul Gannon pleaded his case. It was nonchalently waved away.

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 Bangalore training. Cue utter mayhem.

GB had earlier held court in the Indian half in the opening five – 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 PC was stick blocked before the line by Manpreet Singh and PR 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 Amit Rohidas and Will 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 – a rarity in elite hockey. Indeed, the last time one can remember came at the 2022 Commonwealths, following a 15-man brawl.

What a different complexion this game 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 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. 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 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. 

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.

The game – and GB – needed counter attacks. They got it with five minutes left when Zach Wallace broke, 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. “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.”