In Pics: How Indian men's hockey team rewrote history at Tokyo Olympics

The Indians were slow to get off the blocks as Germany was the dominant side on display in the first quarter. The Germans pressed hard on the Indian defence from the word go and took the lead in the second minute through Oruz. (Image credit: PTI)

 

In 27 minutes, Harmanpreet was bang on target with a powerful flick past young Stadler to make a dramatic turnaround in the match. Their confidence was on an all-time high after the remarkable rally, the Indians came out all guns blazing after the change of ends and took the lead for the first time in the match when they were awarded a penalty stroke for a push on Mandeep Singh inside the circle. Rupinder stepped up to gleefully grab the chance with both hands. (Image credit: PTI)

 

 

Three minutes later, India doubled their lead when Simranjeet scored his second goal of the day, tapping in Gurjant Singh's pass from the right to take a 5-3 lead. (Image credit: Reuters)

Trailing by two goals, the Germans were expected to come hard on the Indian defence and they did exactly that, securing another penalty corner three minutes into the final quarter and this time Windfeder put the ball into the net through the legs of Sreejesh to bring a goal back. (Image credit: PTI)

In search of the equaliser, the Germans put the Indian defence under immense pressure in the remaining minutes of the game, securing three more penalty corners but couldn't get past the determined back-line led by gigantic PR Sreejesh in front of the goal. (Image credit: PTI)

There was more drama in store as India conceded a penalty corner six seconds from the final hooter, but Sreejesh and the defence once against came to the side's rescue. Finally, the Indian men's hockey team rewrote history and claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years, defeating a plucky Germany 5-4 to win the bronze. (Image credit: Reuters)