In a heart-wrenching semifinal at the Paris Olympics 2024, India’s men’s hockey team fell just short of reaching the final for the first time in 44 years. India, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh and veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, lost 2-3 to Germany in a dramatic match on Tuesday night.
India started strong, with Harmanpreet Singh scoring an early goal, but Germany quickly rebounded. Gonzalo Peillat equalized for Germany with a penalty corner, and Christopher Ruhr’s penalty stroke gave them the lead. India managed to level the score in the second half when Sukhjeet Singh deflected a shot from Harmanpreet’s flick. However, Germany’s Marco Miltkau scored the decisive goal with just six minutes left in the final quarter.
India had a final chance to equalize when Harmanpreet found an unmarked Shamsher Singh, but the shot went wide by mere millimeters. Despite earning 11 penalty corners, India could only convert one, while Germany capitalized on two of their four opportunities.
The Indian team, having previously overcome formidable opponents like Australia and Great Britain, was devastated by the narrow defeat. The emotional impact was evident as Harmanpreet and Sreejesh fought back tears after the match.
This semifinal exit, while deeply disappointing, marks India’s best Olympic performance in decades and underscores the team’s progress on the global stage. The loss prevents India from reaching the final, but their spirited effort and near-miss will be remembered as a testament to their resilience and skill.