India’s long medal wait in hockey ends after pulsating win in bronze playoff

The Indian penalty corner battery was a constant threat, but they were also quite dangerous in open play, often catching the Germans with swift counter-attacks.

3 min readUpdated: Aug 5, 2021 04:50 PM IST

India players celebrate a goal by Hardik Singh, center, during the men's field hockey bronze medal match against Germany at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Germany's Niklas Wellen, right, looks on during the celebration. (AP Photo/John Locher)

A 41-year wait finally ended when the Indian men’s hockey team secured an Olympic medal by beating Germany 5-4 in a pulsating encounter in Tokyo on Thursday.

Goals from Rupinder Pal Singh, Hardik Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, in addition to a brace from Simranjeet Singh saw India through. It was a topsy-turvy game in which India went 0-1 and then 1-3 down, conceding two goals in as many minutes, before launching a comeback. They went up 5-3 and had to endure some anxious moments, showing determination and defensive resolve to end one of the longest droughts in Indian sport.

The Indian penalty corner battery was a constant threat, but they were also quite dangerous in open play, often catching the Germans with swift counter-attacks.

Lukas Windfeder of Germany in action against Mandeep Singh of India. (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo)

Germany scored through Timur Oruz, Niklas Wellen, Benedikt Furk and Lukas Windfeder, but in the end, had to go back from the Olympics without their customary medal.

Spectators celebrate Indian men's #hockeyteam bronze win in Mohali.#tokyoolympics pic.twitter.com/1jHGwDwwrm

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) August 5, 2021

As is often the case, the medal didn’t come easy for the Indian team. They had to bounce back from a 1-7 mauling at the hands of Australia in their second group game. They won four matches on the bounce after that before going down 2-5 to world champions Belgium in a high-quality semifinal. They couldn’t afford to feel sorry for themselves after that loss and showed great reserves of physical and emotional energy to get across the line on Thursday.

Germany players react after losing 5-4 to India during the men’s field hockey bronze medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

After the final hooter, there were emotional hugs among the India players and the coaching staff. They all came into a huddle as Australian head coach Graham Reid and skipper Manpreet Singh spoke about the significance of what they have achieved and the sacrifices they have made to get there.

The German side that came to the Olympics in Tokyo doesn’t have the aura of teams of the past. The European giants won back-to-back gold medals in 2008 and 2012, but even a diminished Germany are never easy to beat as they seldom give in.

Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was in inspirational form once again, as India thwarted the late German charge. They had to defend a penalty corner awarded with 6.8 seconds left on the clock, but as the ball went out of the Indian D, the podium place was secured, adding a new and glorious chapter in the history of Indian hockey that could very well spark a long-term turnaround and interest in the Indian national game.

Tushar Bhaduri

Tushar Bhaduri is a highly experienced sports journalist with The Indian Express, based in Delhi. He has been a journalist for 25 years, with 20 of those dedicated to sports reporting. Professional Background Expertise: Tushar writes on a wide variety of sports, focusing on the "bigger picture" and identifying underlying trends that impact the sporting world. Experience: He has covered numerous major global sporting events over his long career. Writing Style: He is known for providing analytical depth, often exploring governance, sportsmanship, and tactical evolutions in games like cricket, golf, and hockey. Recent Notable Articles (2025) His recent work highlights his diverse interests, ranging from the business of golf to major international cricket tournaments: Golf and Athlete Ventures: "In turf battle of golf leagues, Kapil Dev and Yuvraj Singh in opposite camps" (Dec 11, 2025) — A piece on the rivalry between new golf leagues promoted by Indian cricket legends. "Golf's glittering stars in India: Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood... battle for $4million prize" (Oct 14, 2025) — Coverage of the biggest-ever golf tournament in India. Cricket and World Cups: "How rains in Colombo helped India stay alive in the ICC Women's World Cup" (Oct 22, 2025). "Champions Trophy: How Glenn Maxwell brain-fade proved costly" (Mar 4, 2025) — Analysis of a critical turning point in the IND vs AUS match. "IPL 2025 Qualifier 1: In PBKS and RCB, the league's underachievers look to take one step closer" (May 28, 2025). Thought Pieces and Policy: "Sportsmanship is going out of fashion" (Oct 8, 2025) — An editorial on the blurring lines between passion and provocation across various sports like chess, golf, and cricket. "Can the Italian Open really become the fifth Grand Slam in tennis?" (May 20, 2024). Olympic Sports: "Paris Olympics hockey: Why the defeat to Belgium ushers in hope and optimism for India" (Aug 1, 2024). Topics of Interest Tushar frequently writes about IPL strategy, ICC tournament planning, and profiles of rising stars like Vaibhav Suryavanshi. He also maintains a keen interest in historical sports narratives, such as the legacy of Dhyan Chand. ... Read More

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