India men's hockey team wins bronze medal in Tokyo Olympics 2020

[speedheat]

https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/hockey/tokyo-games-india-mens-hockey-team-reach-olympics-semi-finals-after-41-years-beat-great-britain-3-120210801191141

 

[speedheat]

 

I have to agree I am not a follower of hockey but this is some phenomenal achievement.

Let's cherish this moment coz hype for hockey will finish after Olympics and some Vimal pan masala t20i/odi series victory against  Bangladesh will be celebrated. 

[speedheat]

Mods can move this thread in chit-chat.

[kohli]

Outstanding performance 

[speedheat]

Who we are facing in semi-finals?

[Bigg Brother]

2 minutes ago, speedheat said:

Who we are facing in semi-finals?

Belgium.

[G_B_]

i think even in 1980 India were lucky that many nations (from western Europe) boycotted the olympics.

 

last proper gold was 1964 in Tokyo...

 

 

[Trichromatic]

1 hour ago, speedheat said:

Mods can move this thread in chit-chat.

 

Naah, let's keep it in cricket talk. Will get more views.

[cricketfan28]

Good , any hope on semis ?

[Gollum]

7 minutes ago, cricketfan28 said:

Good , any hope on semis ?

Not much. 

[Gollum]

Beat some top 10 teams on our way, 

 

beat Great Britain 3-1

beat Spain 3-0

beat Argentina 3-1

beat NZ 3-2

 

Also new world number 3, displacing the Dutch. 

 

[Number]

The Indians have got a better record against the Belgians in their last 5 matches. The 'Men in the Blue' have registered 4 wins in the last 5 matches against Belgium.

 

https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/india-vs-belgium-olympic-hockey-semi-finals-head-head-record-rankings

 

Did Belgium play 2nd string team ?

[Nash]

Great to see IHT winning. 

[Nash]

Is Great Britain is same as England?  I see England in ranking but not great Britain 

[Gollum]

25 minutes ago, Number said:

The Indians have got a better record against the Belgians in their last 5 matches. The 'Men in the Blue' have registered 4 wins in the last 5 matches against Belgium.

 

https://www.sportskeeda.com/hockey/india-vs-belgium-olympic-hockey-semi-finals-head-head-record-rankings

 

Did Belgium play 2nd string team ?

Partially, but not the complete picture.

 

Viren Rasquinha mentioned that this Bel side (their golden generation) doesn't care about minor tournaments, series etc. They look to peak in big events like WC, Olympics and plan their preparations in such a way that they reach their highest playing level and fitness in the big events.  He mentioned some European tournament this year where Belgium was playing very bad, and suddenly once Olympics started they look like favorites. The earlier failures weren't because they were a bad side, but because they were at a different stage of preparation and didn't bother about results. Same thing happening in 3 major tournaments (Rio, WC, Tokyo), I think Viren was spot on. 

Edited August 1, 2021 by Gollum

[Gollum]

5 minutes ago, Nash said:

Is Great Britain is same as England?  I see England in ranking but not great Britain 

GBR=England+Wales+Scotland

 

In other tournaments they play as separate teams. In Olympics under one banner. 

[Number]

8 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Partially, but not the complete picture.

 

Viren Rasquinha mentioned that this Bel side (their golden generation) doesn't care about minor tournaments, series etc. They look to peak in big events like WC, Olympics and plan their preparations in such a way that they reach their highest playing level and fitness in the big events.  He mentioned some European tournament this year where Belgium was playing very bad, and suddenly once Olympics started they look like favorites. The earlier failures weren't because they were a bad side, but because they were at a different stage of preparation and didn't bother about results. Same thing happening in 3 major tournaments (Rio, WC, Tokyo), I think Viren was spot on. 

 

I think we were at much ease today barring some grinding in 3rd qtr.

While Belgium had to fight really hard.

Can give some advantage in terms of freshness on Tuesday ?

[Gollum]

13 minutes ago, Number said:

 

I think we were at much ease today barring some grinding in 3rd qtr.

While Belgium had to fight really hard.

Can give some advantage in terms of freshness on Tuesday ?

Didn't watch the Belgium game, so can't say. 

 

One full day rest tomorrow, both sides will be fresh. 

[Khota]

Did Belgium nottop the other group/ They are a good team.

[First class]

Used to be a big hockey fan, but after the sad demise of Pakistan hockey, lost interest. Really very very happy to see a sub-continent team making a comeback to the top level. I hope Indian team goes all the way, good luck.