'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Indian women's hockey team created history at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. With a phenomenal and gritty performance in the quarter-final, the team has written a new script as it is only the first time that an Indian women's hockey team has qualified for the semi-finals at the Olympics.
In the encounter against the three-time Olympic champions and World No. 2 Australia, the Indian women's hockey team defied all odds and progressed to the next stage of the event.
Check Out: Tokyo Olympics Hockey Schedule
For the Indian team, the 9th ranked side in the world, drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur rose to the occasion by scoring the lone goal. In the 22nd minute of the game, Gurjit scored from a penalty corner to help the team take a 1-0 lead. Australia, however, couldn't make a comeback later and bowed out of the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The Indian cricket fraternity was thrilled with this magnificent victory and took to Twitter to appreciate the women's hockey team's efforts.
Here are some of the reactions from the Indian cricketers:
Australian opener David Warner also congratulated the Indian women's hockey team and wished them good luck for the semi-final.
Indian women hockey's meteoric rise
From being out of contention for an Olympic berth in 2008 to reaching the semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Indian women's hockey has seen a meteoric rise over the last few years. The victory comes just a day after the men's hockey team made it to the semis after 41 years, making this win even more cherishable.
The Indian women's team's previous best performance at the Olympics came in 1980 when they finished fourth out of the six teams that participated in the event.
Check Out: Tokyo Olympics 2021 Schedule
Thus far, it hasn't been an easy ride for the team in Tokyo Olympics 2020. The team lost the tournament's first three games against Netherlands, Germany, and defending champions Great Britain, leading to great disappointment.
However, they bounced back hard with victories against Ireland and South Africa, which helped them stay in the hunt. With their excellent work continuing into the quarter-finals, the team will be hopeful of taking a shot at the finals by punching above their weight in the semis.
