India women hockey semi final today: The women's team got defeated with a score of 2-1 by Argentina in the semi-final match. They will play against Great Britain for the Bronze Medal on August 6.
The real-life Chak De girls have braved racism, financial crisis, electricity shortages, hardships to earn a square meal for the family, flooded home, and moreover the societal cruelty which always criticised her for not doing chores.
Some of them heard their neighbours mounting these words: “she’s a girl, don’t let her step outside”. Sometimes, they had to live up to a brother who represented the nation or battle the mentality that girls shouldn't play in a skirt. However, they played hockey, despite all the barriers, sometimes to show the people who doubted them or sometimes to vindicate a daily wager father who fought societal norms.
These sixteen fearless women have been through personal struggles that can't be measured in words. And, it was about time for the women to make history. The Indian women's hockey team surprised the world after beating gold medal favourites and three-time champions Australia 1-0 to book a semi-final berth for the first time.
It was also their first-ever quarter-final at the Games. Now, they have another aggressive team to defeat, World No.2 Argentina, in the semi-final on Wednesday before assuring themselves of an unprecedented Olympic medal.
The Indian defence, led by goalkeeper Savita Punia, had a brilliant outing against the Australians while a remarkable hat-trick from Vandana Katariya defeated the South Africans in a significant match last week.
The team was struggling big time in the knockout rounds, witnessing a hat-trick of defeats to Netherlands, Germany and Great Britain but has since got a hat-trick of wins against Ireland and South Africa in the group stage and Australia in the quarters.
This is the first time that the Indian side is enjoying a successful outing in the Olympics. They had made their first Olympic appearance at the 1980 Games in Moscow. The second Olympic appearance was at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
In that edition, women's hockey made its debut on the big podium for the first time in 36 years. In 2021, the Indian women’s hockey team, for the first time in history, is competing in their second consecutive Olympics.
While this is itself a historic moment, the Indian women would look to surpass the achievements of their male counterparts by reaching a first-ever Olympic final on August 4. The Argentina team is, however, standing one step ahead as they have won two silver medals at the 2000 Sydney and 2012 London Games but gold has eluded them.
And they are on course for the elusive medal after reaching the semifinals for the first time since 2012, stunning 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Germany 3-0. But having registered three wins in succession, the momentum is in India's favour. India played three games against Argentina before the Olympics earlier this year and managed a 1-1 draw, losing 0-2 and 2-3 respectively.
Argentina vs India women's hockey semi-final match updates:
Rani Rampal-led team takes on Argentina in the semifinals of the Olympic Games in Tokyo on Wednesday, August 4. The match starts at 3:30 pm IST.
Gurjit Kaur converts an early penalty corner to give India a perfect start against Argentina in the women's semifinal. A win will guarantee Indian women a medal and a chance to aim at glory against the Netherlands in the final.
The first quarter is over and India leads 1-0 against Argentina which made a couple of good attacking moves in the Indian circle but the defenders stood firm and defended really well to deny them the equaliser.
After the good first quarter for India, Maria Noel Barrionuevo, the Argentinian captain, scores a goal at 18 minutes.
End of the second quarter: It's India women 1-1 Argentina at the halftime break.
Maria Barrionuevo converts another penalty corner to give Argentina a lead early in the third quarter. Score Arg 2-1 Ind
End of third quarter: Ind 1-2 Arg
Meet the Women’s Hockey Team here.
Feature Image Credit: Associated Press
/shethepeople/media/agency_attachments/iUYfaBbcMozaYLoGnoov.png)
Follow Us/shethepeople/media/post_banners/Dla3MkG1lGoGrQ0tQbpi.jpg)