The Indian women’s hockey group stunned Australia to enter the semi-finals in Tokyo Olympics on Monday. The group scripted history by qualifying for the Olympic Games semifinals for the very first time, beating 3-time champions Australia by a solitary purpose. Coming into the match, the odds had been against India as world no. 2 Australia, a mighty unbeaten opponent, awaited them in the last eight round. India place up a sturdy functionality to eke out the narrow win more than the Hockeyroos. Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur rose to the occasion when it mattered and converted India’s lone penalty corner in the 22nd minute to surprise the Australians.
A purpose that will go in the history books! ????
Watch Gurjit Kaur’s brilliant drag flick that led #IND to a 1- win more than #AUS in an epic quarter-final ????#Tokyo2020 | #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | #Hockey | #BestOfTokyopic.twitter.com/MkXqjprLxo
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) August 2, 2021
Goalkeeper Savita Punia, meanwhile, managed to save all the nine shots directed at her, earning the properly-deserved epithet of “The Wall” on Twitter.
“Great game by everyone, Savita was phenomenal,” wrote parliamentarian Naveen Jindal.
म्हारी छोरियां छोरो से कम है के।
Our women’s #hockey group as well has entered the semifinals at #Tokyo2020 beating Australia in a thrilling quarterfinal.
What a match! Great game by everybody, Savita was phenomenal.
You have won our hearts @TheHockeyIndia ????#INDvsAUS#TeamIndiapic.twitter.com/MtfliLmzWY— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) August 2, 2021
“Wall of Indian Women Hockey Team : Savita Punia,” wrote BJP leader Y Satya Kumar.
Wall of Indian Cricket Team : Rahul Dravid
Wall of Indian Men’s Hockey Team : PR Sreejesh
8 Computer to GBR, but India did not concede a single purpose.
Wall of Indian Women Hockey Team : Savita Punia
7 Computer to Aus, but India did not concede any purpose.#INDvsAUS#hockeyindiapic.twitter.com/6fBkbr7aVf
— Y. Satya Kumar (@satyakumar_y) August 2, 2021
Take a look at some other reactions:
Sreejesh was ???? yesterday, today Savita is the ????. What a powerhouse functionality from her! #TokyoOlympics#Tokyo2020#hockeyindia#Hockey#Cheers4India#teamindiapic.twitter.com/20yXnevMDG
— मेहरान ???????? (@mehranzaidi) August 2, 2021
The Great Wall of #TeamIndia Women in #Hockey – Savita Punia. pic.twitter.com/zMgELfbS9z
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 2, 2021
“If cricket had Rahul Dravid, hockey has Savita and Sreejesh. Great Walls,” wrote one Twitter user.
If Cricket had Rahul Dravid, Hockey has Savita and Sreejesh. Great Walls.
More energy to the Goalies… pic.twitter.com/BK9yjTs654
— Varadraj Adya (@varadadya) August 2, 2021
Nothing
Just a pic of Savita standing at the Indian Goal Post
This girl saved 8/8#INDvsAUS#Hockeypic.twitter.com/r1GM6nyVHe— Anshuman (@Anshuman84m2) August 2, 2021
It was a classic story of the triumph of the underdogs as India beat Australia 1- to enter the semi-finals, and comparisons to Chak De! India had been inevitable. In the 2007 film, Shah Rukh Khan played the function of the coach of Indian women’s hockey group. The underdog group went on to win the World Cup against all odds in the hit film.
On social media this morning, Chak De! India comparisons abounded just after India’s gorgeous victory, which came only a day just after the Indian men’s group entered the Olympic semifinals following a 49-year gap.
“First ever Olympics hockey semi-finals for our girls. Filled with pride. Chak De India,” wrote former cricketer Virender Sehwag on Twitter.
Itni khushi shayad kisi jeet par mehsoos huyi hogi!
Absolute Wow moment. First ever Olympics hockey semi-finals for our girls. Filled with pride.
Chak De India #Hockeypic.twitter.com/c9I5KZFaZ5— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 2, 2021
“Chak de India happening in Tokyo!” wrote author Chetan Bhagat.
Chak de India taking place in Tokyo!
Congrats Indian Hockey group!
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) August 2, 2021
Boxer Manish Kaushik was all praise for the group.
Incredible Performance!! Chak De India ????????
What a wonderful show by @TheHockeyIndia Women’s Team ???????? ???? They have produced history by getting into #Olympics semifinals for 1st time just after beating #Australia by 1-.
The complete nation is proud of you girls! Go for Gold ????#Cheer4Indiapic.twitter.com/9bMFXTsOl9
— Manish Kaushik (@iboxermanish) August 2, 2021
Some even shared scenes from the 2007 film
An actual Chak De Monday ???? #OlympicGamespic.twitter.com/LyMwNFZrM6
— richa singh (@richa_singh) August 2, 2021
Take a look at some of the other jubilant reactions just after India vs Australia:
Woooooo hoooooo…. Chak de Girlsssss . #IndiavsAustraliapic.twitter.com/kP2kQozCRH
— Abhisar Sharma (@abhisar_sharma) August 2, 2021
‘Chak De India’.
Thrilled to see India’s daughters beating 3-time gold winner Australia in field hockey & reaching the semifinals at #Tokyo2020
Prayers of 130 Cr Indians are with you, go for gold girls.#IndiaAtOlympics#Cheer4Indiapic.twitter.com/7LKHcaSBh2
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) August 2, 2021
Actual Chak De moment for Indian Women’s Hockey group. Well accomplished! My finest wishes for the semi-finals pic.twitter.com/WfYZibV6uV
— Rajvardhan Singh Dattigaon (@dattigaon) August 2, 2021
India’s finest functionality in the Olympics came way back in the 1980 Moscow Games exactly where they completed fourth out of six teams. The Rani Rampal-led side will play Argentina in the semifinal on Wednesday.