Tokyo Olympics: India girls could have misplaced hockey semi-final however have gained so many hearts – Viren Rasquinha

The scoreline could say that India girls misplaced their Tokyo Olympics hockey semi-final to Argentina however Rani Rampal’s ladies have gained respect and loads of hearts with their brave show on Wednesday, in response to former India males’s staff captain Viren Rasquinha.

India got here up with a valiant effort towards 2-time Olympic silver medalists Argentina within the much-anticipated girls’s hockey semi-final on the Oi Hockey Stadium in Tokyo. Rani’s staff was chasing historical past as no Indian girls’s staff had made the hockey remaining on the Olympics earlier than.India 1-2 Argentina: Women’s Hockey Semi-final Report | HighlightsIndia began on an excellent notice with drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur gave India the lead within the first quarter. Despite placing up a robust defensive efficiency, India conceded two objectives as a brace from Argentina captain Maria Barrionuevo helped them seal on the finish of pulsating 60 minutes.”This was by far the most important match in Indian women’s hockey history. What a performance from our girls today! They may have lost in terms of the scoreline but they have won so many hearts with the way they performed and the courage they showed against a far superior team in Argentina,” Viren Rasquinha informed Sony Sports on Wednesday.’Every single participant gave her very best’From shedding their first three matches of the Olympics to storming into the quarter-final and knocking out Australia earlier than placing a courageous fright towards Argentina, India girls have give you a dream run in Tokyo. The dream just isn’t over but as they’ll battle Great Britain for a historic bronze medal on August 6.”At the start of the tournament, I think no one would have predicted that the Indian women’s team would have been in the final but you can see the disappointment on their faces (after they lost the semi-final).”I can guarantee you each single participant gave it their completely all the pieces. As followers, that is all we wish, they gave Argentina a complete run for his or her cash. They pressurised the Argentina defence.There isn’t any disgrace in shedding to a world-class staff like Argentina. India gave it their very best. Tried exhausting, began properly however misplaced to a superior staff,” Rasquinha added.Trailing by a purpose, the Indians confirmed intent within the fourth quarter and put the Argentine defence underneath stress in quest of the equaliser. This is one thing that they wanted to do after taking the lead.India put steady stress within the final quarter-hour and secured their fourth and remaining penalty nook within the 51st minute however skilled Argentina goalkeeper Maria Succi made a superb save to disclaim Gurjit.Seventeen seconds from the ultimate hooter, Succi got here to her aspect’s rescue once more when she brilliantly saved out Navneet Kaur’s deflection from Udita’s hit from outdoors the circle.The Indians instantly requested for a referral for a harmful ball however the TV umpire rejected it.