Hearty Congratulations; but real responsibility begins now! Both Indian hockey teams seal birth at Tokyo Olympics

Bhubaneshwar, November 4: A series of magnificent victories on two consecutive days has finally pulled India into the battlefield of Tokyo Olympic. In Men's Hockey, eight-time champions India mauled Russia 7-1 while women's beat the US 6-5 on aggregate despite losing the second match 1-4. Both teams have now sealed their place for the upcoming Tokyo2020.

It took a solo effort from Lalit Upadhyay in the 17th minute into the match to pull India level. Akashdeep Singh got two more in the second quarter. Ramandeep, Mandeep, Simranjeet and Sunil found ways to hit wide or over from all angles. The Indian men, ranked fifth in the world defeated world number 22 Russia 4-2 in the first-leg on Friday. 

Indian women have now qualified for back-to-back Olympics having sealed it in Rio de Janeiro after a gap of 36 years. After thrashing USA 5-1 on Friday, India were outperformed yesterday as the USA raced to a 4-0 lead in the first half. India's vital goal was scored by captain Rani Rampal in the 48th minute. Aggressive from the start, USA dished out a ruthless display of perfect planning and made sure the half-chances counted, the Indians left panting in the wake of its speed and precision.

 

India grew post-break but the USA held firm. Till that one moment when, scrapping for possession and almost a dozen legs from both sides inside the circle, the ball landed with Rani and the Indian skipper stamped her mark on the game, in more ways than one.