Tokyo Olympics: India beat Great Britain 3-1 in hockey, enter semis after 49 years

India`s Dilpreet Singh, celebrates with Sumit (17) after scoring during a men`s field hockey match. Pic AP/PTI

The Indian men's hockey team defeated Great Britain 3-1 in a quarterfinal match to qualify for the semifinals of the Olympics Games after 49 years.

India scored three field goals through Dilpreet Singh (7th minute), Gurjant Singh (16th) and Hardik Singh (57th) to seal the win for the eight-time Olympic champions. The lone goal for Great Britain was scored by Sam Ward in the 45th minute. Even though India's last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in the 1980 Moscow Games, there were no semifinals in that edition as only six teams participated in the event.

The last time India featured in the semifinals of the Olympics was in the 1972 Munich Games where they lost 0-2 to arch-rivals Pakistan. India will take on world champions Belgium in the semifinal on Tuesday. Belgium defeated Spain 3-1 in another quarterfinal to seal their place in the last four round. The other semifinal of the men's hockey competition will be played between Australia and Germany.

Also Read: India eyes semis berth

Former Indian hockey captain Viren Rasquinha took to Twitter to congratulate the Indian team. He wrote, "There is something about a team sport especially hockey that can truly unite a nation. I can feel the emotion and the love for hockey in Flag of India Everyone wants our hockey team to do well. Keep fighting boys. The tournament is not over. Stay focused."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also lauded the Indian men's hockey team for their wonderful performance.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, too, extended his wishes for the Indian men's hockey team. The three-time chief minister captioned his tweet as, "What a historic moment! Indian hockey team dribbles their way into semifinals after 4 decades. Entire country is so proud."

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