Not a good start for India at the Tokyo Olympics as it goes disappointing for the contingent since only PV Sindhu, Manika Batra and MC Mary Kom could register wins. India strived against Australians with a huge 1-7 disappointment in the men’s hockey at the Tokyo Games.
The game began somewhat slow in which India, in the eighth minute earned their first penalty corner of the first quarter. Harmanpreet Singh, the vice-captain who had marked two goals for his side in their opening match victory against New Zealand, shuffled the flick wide after which the Australians with two consecutive PCs later after two minutes to which Daniel Beal without attempting any error converted the second that came up with his side’s first goal and a 1-0 lead against India.
With a few opportunities for both the teams that came during the next five minutes, India couldn’t equalise and the first quarter ended in favour of Australia.
Sreejesh with many big saves that Australia forced in the second quarter but Jeremy Hayward modified the second of two back to back PCs into the 2-0 lead for his side at the 21st minute followed by Flynn Ogilvie who scored the third one before Joshua Beltz converted the scoreboard 4-0 for Australia in the 26th minute. Three goals within five minutes propelled their side for a 4-0 lead at halftime.
The second started better for Indians that won them a couple of penalties. But the scoreboard got extended in favour of the opponent with their fifth goal later after Dilpreet Singh’s 34th-minute goal and gave India some possibility but that went in vain as Graham Reid’s team lost 7-1 until the final time.