India have had a good start to their campaign in the Paris Olympics 2024 in Hockey. After a 3-2 win against tricky opponents New Zealand, India registered a narrow 1-1 draw against the mighty Argentina team on 29th July 2024 at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored a last-minute penalty corner and that helped India get a point from the game. There were a lot of chances received in the game versus Argentina but India failed to convert and capitalise on those opportunities.
As many as 9 penalty corners were floundered by the 8-time Gold Medallists of Hockey at the Olympics and this is a concern.
A total of 4 teams qualifies from each Pool to the quarter finals and after India’s 1-1 draw versus Argentina, India has their sight on the quarter final berth. If India win their game against Ireland on 30th July 2024, then they will be assuring themselves a berth in the quarter finals.
Ireland are lower ranked as compared to India and it should be a comfortable victory. But Craig Fulton’s India should guard against complacency and need to give their 120% on the field in order to ensure a good win.
Post the Ireland, India have tougher opponents in Pool B. India cross swords with defending gold medallists Belgium on 1st August 2024 and play against Australia on 2nd August 2024. Pool B was labelled as the “Group of Death” as it has some of the toughest teams in this competition.
If India finish in the 3rd position in their Pool, then they might be facing Germany of Pool A in the quarter finals. Notably, Harmanpreet Singh and co. had defeated Germany in the bronze medal match in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 to end their 41-year drought of a medal in the Olympics in Hockey.
In case India does not have favourable outcomes against Belgium and Australia in their remaining 2 group encounters, the Men in Blue might be facing Netherlands in the quarter finals, who are in the 1st position of Pool A, presently.
