Paris 2024 hockey: Harmanpreet Singh’s brace helps India beat Australia at Olympics for the first time in 52 years

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored twice for the Indian men’s hockey team as they beat Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Australia 3-2 at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Friday.

This was India’s first victory against Australia in hockey at the Olympics since Munich 1972 – 52 years ago. Since then, the two teams played each other seven times, with India losing five of those games before their victory in Paris.

For world No. 7 India, skipper Harmanpreet Singh (13’, 32’) and Abhishek (12’) scored the goals while Thomas Craig (25’) and Blake Glovers (55’) got on the scoresheet for the fourth-ranked Australian team.

Harmanpreet Singh has scored six goals at the Paris 2024 Olympics hockey tournament so far, as many as he did at Tokyo 2020, where India won the bronze medal.

“I think we ticked off all the right boxes today,” Harmanpreet said. “Starting the way we did and then some brilliant saves by PR Sreejesh ensured we stayed ahead in the game. It is a special win ahead of the quarter-finals. It gives us a lot of confidence.”

At the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes, Abhishek opened the scoring for India from a counter attack. Lalit Upadhyay made a great run into the inner circle before Abhishek finished the move. Almost immediately, skipper Harmanpreet Singh doubled India’s lead from a penalty corner.

In the second quarter, goal-keeper PR Sreejesh made a couple of terrific saves, but the Kookaburras finally found a way through. Skipper Aaron Zalewski’s shot from the left flank was going wide, but Thomas Craig was there to steer it home from close range.

After the break, India were awarded a penalty stroke in the early minutes and Harmanpreet smashed it between the keeper’s feet to restore the two-goal cushion.

India had another goal coming in the final quarter from Abhishek, but a stick tackle in the lead up meant the goal was cancelled upon referral. Blake Glovers scored from the spot after a stroke was awarded to Australia with five minutes left, but the Indian defence saw out the remaining minutes to pick up three points.

The Harmanpreet Singh-led side picked up 10 points in their group stage with three wins in five matches.

India, bronze medallists at Tokyo 2020, will play three-time champions Great Britain in the Paris 2024 Olympics hockey quarter-finals on Sunday.