PR Sreejesh leads India to Olympic semi-finals
PR Sreejesh was the hero of the penalty shootouts, as India overcame Great Britain 4-2 to go to the men’s hockey semifinals of Paris Olympics on Sunday, August 4. The match ended 1-1 in normal time, with India playing with 10 men for the whole of the third quarter after Amit Rohidas was sent off.
Sreejesh made a wonderful save to deny Philip Roper, and Rajkumar Pal scored the game-winner to cap off a remarkable performance that saw them reach the final four for the second time in a row at the Olympics. Harmanpreet Singh gave India the lead in the 22nd minute, but Lee Morton levelled.
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Indian defence proved to be the game changer
The match began with Great Britain on the offensive, applying a lot of pressure. The Indian defence remained firm, but Great Britain applied pressure and scored two points with five minutes remaining. The Indian players had no issues with each effort, but Great Britain remained on the offensive.
Sreejesh made an incredible save from Samuel Ward in the 11th minute, and India put on the pressure in the closing few minutes. They would receive three PCs in a row, but all were saved by Great Britain. The second quarter was when all the drama began.
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Amit Rohidas got a red card in the 17th minute
The match’s primary talking point came in the 17th minute, when Amit Rohidas received a red card. Calnan challenged the Indian defender from behind as he tried to run with the ball.
However, the Indian defender’s stick was in an odd position and struck Calnan in the head. The referees had a discussion, and Rohidas received a red card straight away.
India took the lead against run of play
Despite being down one man, India would take the lead against the flow of play. Harmanpreet made no mistakes with his PC as the ball flew past Payne in the goal. Great Britain would increase the pressure, but India would stay strong in defence.
However, it was breached in the end, as Lee Morton scored in the 27th minute, sending Team India into halftime at 1-1.
India’s superb defence guaranteed that the match would finally go to the dreaded penalty shootout.
