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India gave PR Sreejesh the perfect farewell as they defeated Spain 2-1 to claim the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. This was the first time India won back-to-back medals for the first time since 1972. Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace after India were behind in the contest to claim the win as they got their record-extending 13th hockey medal at the Olympics.
India were forced to come back as Spain had taken the lead in the 18th minute of the contest. Harmanpreet stepped up at the right time for India as he turned the game on its head in the space of three minutes to get the win. The Indian defence looked rock solid at the back, with Sreejesh stepping up to secure the win.
The first 5 minutes was a cagey affair for both sides as India made their first circle penetration, but to no avail. Sukhjeet got the first real chance of the match as Hardik made a fine run close to D before passing to his teammate. Sukhjeet's shot was well-wide.
The Indian attack started to pick up as the circle penetrations went up to 5 as half of the quarter was played. Jose Maria Basterra would make a sensational run into the Indian D in the 10th minute forcing Sreejesh into action to avert the danger . There were a few mistakes from both sides in possession as the quarter ended with no penalty corner for both sides.
A good move from the Spanish attackers saw them get a penalty stroke and Marc Miralles make no mistake to take the lead in the 18th minute. Spain were certainly on the front foot as they started to use the wings effectively and got the first PC of the game. It was stopped by Amit Rohidas and Spain got another PC. It was deflected past the post by the Indian rusher.
India had a great chance in the box as Lalit's shot was saved by the Spanish goalkeeper Calzado. The Indian mistakes would almost cost them again as Spain almost doubled the lead as ball into the D almost found the back of the net.
They would continue to trouble the Indian defence as Borja Lacalle had hit the post. The resulting PC from the commotion led to an Indian counter-attack and they got their first PC of the game in the 29th minute. But the effort from Amit Rohidas was saved as India looked to start getting some momentum back.
They would get another PC as Manpreet put in a dangerous ball into the D in the final few seconds and Harmanpreet would level things up.
Spain started the third quarter with some pressure but India were able to get through it. India got a PC in the 33rd minute after a smart referral as Harmanpreet scored his second one to put India into the lead. Spain immediately got a PC back but the Indian defence was up to the mark.
India would get the second PC of the third quarter and it brought out a save from Calzado. A green card was given to Abhishek as he was a little too enthusiastic at the restart.
India would break the Spanish press in the 37th minute and got their third PC of the quarter. It was stopped by the Spanish rusher as India got another PC. Or so they thought as a referral would overturn it.
Spain would start to work hard once again and got a PC in the 40th minute and it was saved by Sreejesh. Spain thought they had a goal but the a good referee referral would preserve the lead for India.
Spain were looking to find the equaliser before the third quarter ended. India were able to get a ball to the right-hand side and a shot from Gurjant was saved.
But India got a PC from it and Harmanpreet was once again denied by Calzado. That was the last bit of action in Q3 as we headed into the final 15 minutes of the game.
Spain put on the pressure early in the final quarter and they got a PC just right after the restart. The effort from Recasens was well-wide of the target.
Sukhjeet had a great chance to make it 3-1 but his shot was well wide in the 46th minute. Spain continued to push India back and almost had a shot creep into the goal. Thankfully Sreejesh took no chances and took it away.
Sukhjeet got a green card with less than 8 minutes remaining as Spain looked to make the most of the man advantage. The Indian defence looked to remain solid as the pressure was certainly coming in from Spain.
The Spanish pressure would yield a penalty corner with less that 90 seconds left. They would get one more again and it was Sreejesh who made the save.
The drama would spill into the final minute as Spain would get a PC in the final minute. Sreejesh was able to clear the danger but Spain got another one. It wouldn't make a difference as India won the match to give Sreejesh an emotional farewell.
