Tokyo Olympics: It was do or die, India girls hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia recollects coach’s phrases

2 min read

India scored by way of Gurjit Kaur and saved as many as 8 penalty corners to beat Australia 1-0 and enter the ladies’s hockey semifinals for the primary time in Olympics historical past on Monday. India managed to save lots of 8 penalty corners in opposition to Australia within the girls’s quarterfinal (Reuters Photo)HIGHLIGHTSIndia beat Australia 1-0 of their girls’s hockey quarterfinalDragflicker Gurjit Kaur scored the profitable objective within the second quarterIndia registered their third win in succession to enter the last-4 of the ladies’s hockey competitors at Tokyo 2020Indian girls’s hockey group goalkeeper Savita Punia on Monday revealed the speech that she and her teammates acquired from nationwide coach Sjoerd Marijne throughout their quarterfinal match in opposition to Australia at Tokyo 2020.

India shocked three-time champions Australia 1-0 because of the lone objective from dragflicker Gurjit Kaur within the second quarter to enter the Olympic semifinals for the primary time in historical past.The win was India’s third in succession and they’re going to now play the last-4 conflict on August 4.TOKYO 2020 LIVE: Full Coverage”The only thing we thought about was that we have to put in our all, we have 60 minutes with us, and hence, it is imperative we give our 100% efforts.”We performed as a group and helped one another, retackled even when the objective acquired tousled and saved a relaxed defence. And we’re extraordinarily completely happy that our technique labored in our favour and we gained the quarterfinals.”The coach told us that it was a “Do or Die” situation, we only have 60 minutes and this is either our first match or the last,” Savita Punia stated.Coming into the match, the chances had been completely in opposition to India as in world no.2 Australia, a mighty unbeaten opponent, awaited them. But the Indians, decided to show a degree, produced a robust and courageous efficiency to eke out the slender win over the Hockeyroos.How a lot it meant for the group and Indian hockey typically may very well be gauged from the feelings that had been on show after the ultimate hooter went off. The gamers screamed, hugged one another, and acquired right into a huddle with their Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne with tears of pleasure rolling down their faces.”Very happy with the win, everybody worked very hard for this win. We performed like one team and we are feeling so happy to have qualified for the semifinals. Thank you to all those who supported the Indian women’s team,” an elated Gurjit Kaur said after the match.”This group is sort of a household, together with the teaching employees. Our complete nation helps us and all people’s prayers are with us,” added Gurjit Kaur.Click right here for IndiaImmediately.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.