Gold missed but valiant Indian hockey team’s Olympic dream not over yet

New Delhi: As the Indian players lay on the field distraught with tears rolling down their eyes, the one question every fan had in their mind was what if that last shot went in? Shamsher Singh had the chance to score what would have been a stunning equaliser for India with the last shot of the game but it wasn’t meant to be.

Just like it wasn’t meant to be that India played a gold medal match in hockey for the first time in 44 years. Crestfallen after their 3-2 defeat to Germany in a hard-fought semi-final, the Indian players were in despair. And rightfully so as it was a golden opportunity missed. India produced arguably their best match of the Paris Olympics against the reigning world champions Germany.

They were valiant and played brave hockey but even their best wasn’t enough. In the end, the Germans were ecstatic as the Indians came to terms with what had unfolded at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Paris. Taking the field without a key player in Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet’s India gave their all but they lacked the cutting edge and perhaps some luck as the emotions from Tokyo 2020 were reversed in Paris 2024.

So close yet so far for Team India

In Tokyo, the Indian team had come out on top against Germany in the all-important bronze medal match and were expected to repeat their heroics in Paris. Having been unbeaten heading into the semi-final, the hopes were high but India failed to close out what could have been a historic victory for them and booked their place in their first Olympic final since 1980.

India created chances and scored when it mattered the most but also ended up conceding in the final quarter which left them with little time to stage a fight back. But India had one final chance at restoring parity when the final shot of the match arrived for Shamsher in the D. There were no defenders in front and all he needed was to put it past the German goalkeeper but his shot flew over the post, triggering celebrations in the German camp as time ran out for India.

It’s a cliche but it was once again a matter of so close yet so far for Harmanpreet & Co., who were in touching distance of what could have been a dream final. But as they say, it wasn’t meant to be. And perhaps we would never know what would have happened had that last shot gone in.

Not all over for India at Paris Olympics 2024

India might have missed the golden opportunity to clinch their first gold medal in 44 years but all it not over yet for Harmanpreet’s men in Paris. They still have a chance to return home with medal and will fight to win a second successive bronze medal at the Olympics when they take on Spain in the bronze medal match.

Spain, who beat world champions Germany and later the defending champion Belgium in Paris, lost to Argentina in their semi-final. They have arguably been one of the best teams of the tournament so far and India will have to be on top of their game to salvage their final shot at redemption in Paris in the bronze medal encounter.

Full Coverage of Paris Olympics 2024

Know All About Paris Olympics 2024 Players

 India were crestfallen, the players in despair having lost out on a golden opportunity to play the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024 after a thrilling defeat against Germany in the semi-final. But all is not lost for Harmanpreet Singh and his men who still have a chance to return home with a medal.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today