Introduction: Harmanpreet, Sreejesh

Paris Olympics: India braced for a dramatic
last-gasp draw but failed to reach the final for
the first time in 44 years.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh and veteran goalkeeper

PR Sreejesh fought back tears after India lost 3-2 to
Germany in the semi-finals of the Paris 2024
Olympics on Tuesday night.
India might not have been the big favorites against

world champions Germany, but they certainly had the power.
Not only did they beat mighty Australia in the group stage,
but they also defeated Great Britain in the quarter-finals

On Tuesday, but their opponents rallied thereafter

and took the lead twice in the game. India finally

tried to equalize in the final with a dramatic second goal,

but lost the game 2-3 and failed to reach the final for the first time in 44 years.

The Indian team led by Harmanpreet Singh put strong pressure on the German defense from the first quarter onwards, with the captain himself scoring the first goal of the game. But the three-time Olympic champion, known for his iron determination, fought back strongly in the second quarter. Gonzalo Payat equalized with a penalty and Christopher Rolle took the lead with a penalty. Six minutes into the second half, India equalized thanks to a great move from Sukhjit Singh after a goal from Harmanpreet.

Meanwhile, the goals for India were scored by captain Harmanpreet Singh (7th) and Sukhjit Singh (36th). India will face Spain in the bronze medal game and Germany will face the Netherlands in the final.

The Germans attacked in earnest in the fourth and final quarter and just six minutes before the final whistle, Marco Miltgau saved a cross that broke the Indians’ hearts. India finally got their last chance when Harmanpreet fired at an unmarked Shamsher but the shot went just millimeters wide.

The Indian players were up for grabs in this match. They received 11 penalty corners, but converted only one. Germany won only four penalties and converted two.