Paris 2024: When was the last time India defeated Australia in Hockey at the Olympics?

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace as India men's hockey team registered a famous 3-2 win over Tokyo Games silver medallist and nemesis Australia in its final Pool B match here on Friday.

Alrey assured of a quarterfinal berth before Friday's encounter, Indians played valiantly and dominated proceedings for major part of match to stun Kookaburras, against whom y last won in Olympics in 1972 Munich edition.

It seemed India h saved ir best for ir last pool match, as it delivered a power-packed performance, playing attacking hockey from beginning, and defending well throughout.

Abhishek (12th), skipper Harmanpreet (13th, 33rd) scored for India while Tom Craig (25th) and Blake Govers (55) found net for Australia.

With this win, India most likely will finish ir pool engments in second position with nine points, finishing behind table toppers Belgium (12), who are yet to play a match. pole position will t change even if Belgium loses its match against Argentina.

goal difference after that match will determine final placing.

Indians started on an aggressive te and me two circle entries in first two minutes.

Veteran India custodian PR Sreejesh, who is playing his last international tournament, was rock solid in front of goal, making some vital saves to deny Kookaburras.

In 11th minute, Sreejesh me first save to deny Tom Wickham, which resulted in a penalty corner. But resultant effort from Jeremy Hayward was off target.

Jarmanpreet Singh n fired a pass to Sukhjeet Singh from right flank. He just needed to deflect ball but he could t stop powerful strike. strong Australian defence easily foiled his attempt by time he gared ball and was rey to strike.

Australia created two back-to-back opportunities, but Indian defence was rock solid.

India stunned Australia by taking le through Abhishek in 12th minute. It was Lalit, who received a pass in an empty D, he attempted a shot but that was saved by goalie Andrew Charter. Abhishek got ball on rebound, turned, and hammered it past rival goalkeeper Andrew Charter.

A minute later, India got a penalty corner when ball touched foot of Jake Harvie and Harmanpreet beat Charter's defence with fierce grounded flick.

Tim Brand h an opportunity to reduce deficit early in second quarter but he struck ball wide. Australia earned ir second penalty corner of match in 19th minute but Govers' shot was blocked Sreejesh. Vice-captain Hardik Singh was a livewire in mid-field, feeding forwards consistently.

Australia got ir third short cormer in 25th minute. It was a poor injection from skipper Aran Zalewski but it turned into a goal as Australians recovered quickly to pass it to an unmarked Craig at second post, who deflected ball in.

India also got a penalty corner soon but this time Harmanpreet's strike was kept at bay by Charter. India led 2-1 at half time.

India got ir third penalty corner when Manpreet Singh was tackled by an Australian defender. Harmanpreet's goalmouth strike was obstructed by Flynn Ogilvie. India took a referral, which resulted in a penalty stroke.

And Harmanpreet me mistake by converting chance.

Australia earned ar short corner seconds from third quarter but failed to utilise chance.

Indians too secured back-to-back penalty corners in final quarter, only to waste m.

In 53rd min, Abhishek scored ar fine goal after he was fed by Mandeep Singh but goal was ruled out for a stick check.

Five minutes from final hooter, Govers scored his seventh goal from a penalty stroke to reduce margin.

reafter, Indian defence stood tall to deny Australians to register a famous win.