At the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday, India has made a strong comeback after losing 1-7 to Australia in its previous game. The team's defence especially was top notch as Spain struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the match. The Indian men's hockey team had a better day, beating Spain 3-0 to bounce back from their 7-1 loss against Australia.
Later in the day, while Achanta Sharath Kamal faces the great Ma Long in table tennis, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will also be in action in badminton doubles.
With one win from two games and nine goals against, the Indians currently occupy the fourth position in the group - one slot ahead of their next opponents who managed a draw against Argentina but lost to New Zealand.
The Indian hockey team defeated Spain 3-0 in a Pool A match on Tuesday. With this victory, India's chances of reaching the quarter-finals have strengthened.
Indian team has reached the second position in Pool-A with 4 points from 3 matches.
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Australia still remains on top.
In the first quarter, Simranjit Singh put India 1-0 ahead with a field goal in the 14th minute of the match. In the very next minute, Rupinder Pal Singh scored a penalty stroke to take India's lead 2-0. Neither team could score in the second and third quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Rupinder Pal Singh scored a penalty corner to give India a decisive 3-0 lead.
They are now 3 points behind the 1st placed Australia, which has won all its matches. This is India’s second win in 3 matches after they won their opening fixture against New Zealand 3-2. It was a much-needed win for Team India.
Hockey has 6-6 teams in Pool-A and Pool-B and India are placed in Pool A.
Apart from India and Spain, there are teams from Australia, Argentina and host Japan. India will have to be in the top-4 of the pool to reach the quarter-finals. India defeated New Zealand 3–2 in their first match, but Australia crushed them 7–1 in the next match. In this pool, only Australia is above India in the team rankings.
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India is placed in a tough Group A alongside the likes of reigning Olympic champions Argentina, mighty Australia, hosts Japan, New Zealand and Spain.