Paris — An hour before their bronze medal match, PR Sreejesh was the first of the players to enter the Yves-du-Manoir field. He stood motionless on half-way and looking down on goal. Was he reflecting on an 18-year career ahead of his final game and how it might end? Or visualising his captain, Harmanpreet Singh, weaving his magic once more from the top of the D? In the end, the retiring great was seen ready to sit on top of his goal in customary celebration a tad early. Twelve seconds early to be precise.
After a barren run of 41 years without an Olympic hockey medal before Tokyo, India now have two bronze in as many Games. Two penalty corner strikes from Harmanpreet, in the 30th and 33rd minute, pulled India back from an 18th minute penalty stroke by Marc Miralles, Spain’s captain, to seal a medal.
“We played as a team. Everyone delivered, especially our legend Sreejesh, said Harmanpreet. “It was his last game. It’s a memorable game for him, and a big achievement as a team.”
It had been far from a done deal. Spain, with patience galore, played to form in the opening 30 minutes and were dominant in the final quarter as they searched for a deserved equaliser. With seconds left, as India cleared a last-gasp PC chance and took deep into Spanish territory.
Sreejesh had taken off his gloves and put his equipment in goal ready to clamber onto Indian’s goal. Suddenly, from their baseline Spain had countered and the Keralan frantically had to retrieve the kit which has served him so well since he became a No.1 regular in 2011.
It could have been calamitous but the hooter came, that celebration too and then he was lifted onto his team-mates shoulders. Another high point for Indian hockey.
And with conglomerates eyeing franchise ownership in the returning Hockey India League at the end of the year, bronze will surely help to fill Hockey India’s pot further.
More to follow…
How the match unfolded
A bright opening saw Sukhjeet Singh with the first opportunity for India but was too eager to get his shot away on the turn. Was Harmanpreet going to prove crucial again? With only three open play goals from India’s 15 before this match, it would seem so.
The physical nature of this bronze medal clash became clear when Manpreet went down during one challenge and the next phase saw a Harmanpreet reverse catch Gurjant Singh on the head as he attempted to evade the power of his captain’s cross.
Spain were, however, playing well. Set up in the same structure in their 4-0 defeat to the Dutch, they were countering intelligently and, with their third circle entry, were awarded a penalty stroke after a clear Manpreet foul. Miralles flicked high past Sreejesh.
Spanish circle skill nearly yielded a second, five minutes from half-time. Gerard Clapes lifted brilliantly on the baseline and flicked across looking for a Spanish stick. He spotted Eduard de Ignacio-Simo advancing on Sreejesh’s goal and the ball evaded both.
The post then saved India after Borja Lacalle’s downward shot trickled towards goal.
India garnered their first PC at the end of a pacy quarter and Amit Rohidas, back in the squad after a one-match ban, saw his shot go wide. Harmanpreet made sure, with 14 seconds left, clattering the backboard. His ninth goal of the campaign.
Two minutes into the third quarter he struck double figures. He seemed to have time aplenty in opening his shoulders for his flick, which went through a procession of sticks and then under Luis Calzado’s right boot. Another strike may have put Spain beyond the medals. Yet they were still threatening at the other end, a PC goal ruled out for a body touch after Sreejesh’s save.
They were patient too in their turnover possession and final third play. There were no panic signs just yet. A six-way interchange in the fourth quarter ended with a slap into the circle and the ball deflecting off Sreejesh’s boot inches wide. Replays were unclear if Borja Lacalle had got a touch.
Lacalle and Spain continued to hold possession, with India offering little attacking threat. Sreejesh was now in the game and he body blocked a PC with 68 seconds left.
Jordi Bonastre claimed a penalty stroke with under 50 seconds left after a cross-field transfer move. The review was turned down. Spain’s successive corners then both broke down.
Stat Attack
India and Spain had faced each other 10 times at Olympic Games. India had won seven with one sole Spanish victory. More recently, in their last five meetings, India held a 4-1 record.
