Paris, July 30: Can Indian men's hockey team win a medal in Paris Olympics?
Well, that is bit hard to answer at this juncture. Because despite no loss in the first two games, India still appear to be not at their best yet. They had hard fought 3-2 win over New Zealand and a struggling 1-1 draw against Argentina.
So the medal hope, is still kept alive. But India have to raise their game if they want to have a podium finish again like in Tokyo. It was after 41 years that Indian men's team again won an Olympics medal, when they finished third in Tokyo Games.
In realistic terms, India in Paris Olympics 2024 seem to be bit different than the Bronze medal winning side in Tokyo Olympics.
Interestingly, it was the skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who netted the last goals for India in their first two matches against the Kiwis and Argentines.
Against New Zealand, Harmanpreet converted a penalty stroke into a goal and even against Argentina on Monday, he scored the solitary goal for his side in the 59th minute through a penalty corner.
In the post match reaction, even captain Harmanpreet admitted that India need to finish better.
Harmanpreet & Co secured a 1-1 draw with Argentina in their second Pool B match at the Paris 2024 Olympics at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir on Monday. Earlier, Lucas Martinez (22nd minute) gave Rio 2016 champions Argentina the lead in the second quarter.
The defence of both teams stood tall throughout the match on Monday and foiled several goal attempts by the forwards.
As per current standings, with a win and a draw from two matches, India are third in Pool B with four points. Belgium and Australia lead the table and have six points each.
As per world rankings, India are ranked fifth. India will face Ireland in their third Paris 2024 Olympics hockey Pool B match on Tuesday. But to keep alive their medal winning campaign, India definitely have to play much better and convert half chances into goals, feel experts.
