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The Indian hockey team, despite falling short of their gold medal aspirations, will strive to replicate their Tokyo 2020 performance and secure a medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team has showcased exceptional dominance throughout their campaign, defeating Argentina, New Zealand, and Australia. They narrowly lost to Belgium in the quarterfinals but triumphed over Great Britain in a thrilling penalty shootout to reach the semifinals.In the semifinals, India faced reigning world champions Germany. Despite the absence of key defender Amit Rohidas due to a controversial red card, the team played with determination and matched the Germans' intensity. However, they ultimately fell behind in the final six minutes of the match.A medal at the Paris Olympics would provide a significant boost to India's campaign, which has been marked by misfortune and several fourth-place finishes. The team's last Olympic medal came on August 1, 1980, and all eyes will be on them to break the drought and provide a fitting farewell to veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh.

India's hockey team, buoyed by their resilient performance against Great Britain in the quarterfinals, will face a formidable challenge in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics against reigning world champions Germany. The Indians, who won bronze in Tokyo, are aiming to better their medal color and make history by securing a silver or gold.India's quarterfinal victory was a testament to their tenacity and determination. Despite playing with 10 men for nearly 40 minutes after Amit Rohidas' red card, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side held Britain to a 1-1 draw in regulation time and emerged victorious in the shootout. Veteran goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, playing his last international tournament, was instrumental in the win, making several crucial saves, including two in the shootout.Rohidas' suspension for the semifinal is a setback for India, as he is a key defender and penalty corner specialist. However, the team is confident in their ability to overcome this challenge. "We are focused on the task at hand," said Harmanpreet, who has been India's leading scorer at the Games with seven goals. "Every player stepped up and even until the last minute, we were fighting back."Germany, ranked fourth in the world, is a familiar opponent for India in high-stakes tournaments. The two teams met in the bronze medal match in Tokyo, where India emerged victorious. In the days leading up to the Paris Games, India played Germany in practice matches and won five out of six contests.The other semifinal will feature Netherlands and Spain. India will be hoping to repeat their success against Germany and secure a place in the final. A semifinal win would guarantee India a silver medal, which they last won in the 1960 Rome edition.

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh is determined to reclaim the Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024, paying tribute to the country and legendary players. After winning a bronze medal in Tokyo 2020, ending a 41-year Olympic medal drought, India is aiming for the top prize in Paris."We are striving to elevate our legacy. Winning gold would be a tribute to India and our seniors," said Harmanpreet in an exclusive interview with JioCinema's 'The Dreamers.'Former captain Manpreet Singh, who led India to the historic bronze in Tokyo, shared similar sentiments. "Seeing our flag on the right, I felt we could strive harder to place it at the center next time, with our anthem playing. This marks the beginning of our renewed journey."Veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh emphasized the team's relentless drive and unity. "Someone somewhere is training to beat you. That thought pushes me out of my comfort zone. I am driven by the desire not to disappoint our country.""Indian hockey once relied on individual brilliance, but now we play as a cohesive unit, which has been key to our success," added Sreejesh.Chief coach Craig Fulton explained the team's mentality and strategy. "There isn't a team that this Indian team hasn't beaten. Our philosophy is to defend, counter, and win. We have a team that can defend against the best and counterattack from anywhere."India's resurgence in hockey has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the team's determination, unity, and strategic approach. The team's success has rekindled the passion for hockey in India and inspired a new generation of players.