On the 12th day of the Tokyo Olympics, the men's hockey semi-finals between India and world champion Belgium has begun. With the game reaching half-time, India and Belgium levels at 2-2.
As Belgium scored the first goal in the match in the second minute, India did not take much time and emerged with an incredible comeback after scoring their first goal in the 7th minute. Harmanpreet scored a penalty corner for India with a drag flick.
Following Harmanpreet's goal, Mandeep Singh then scored a field goal with a stunning backhand shot in the eighth minute. The Indian team had a 2-1 advantage over Belgium at the end of the first quarter.
In the 19th minute of the second quarter, Belgium earned another penalty corner. Alexander Hendrix, one of the top drag-flickers in the world, seized on the opportunity to tie the game at 2-2.
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India’s win in the match will assure whether the Indian men’s hockey team will bring a medal to India or not. After 41 years of drought, India has a chance to win a medal.
Last India had won gold in 1980 Moscow Olympics after defeating Spain 4-3. At that time the team was led by Vasudevan Bhaskaran.