Wonder Women

Indian players celebrate their quarter-final victory over Australia at the Tokyo Olympics yesterday. Pic/PTI

Belief was the cornerstone of the Indian women hockey team's victory over formidable Australia in the Tokyo Olympics here on Monday, which earned the side its first semi-final berth at the Games.

A day after the Indian men's team entered the Olympic semi-finals after a gap of 49 years, the World No. 9 women's side produced a phenomenal performance against World No. 2 Australia, to emerge 1-0 winners in an intense contest.

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. "I don't know what to say because emotions are too high at the moment, and we all are very happy because it was not an easy game to win from Australia," an elated Rani said after the stunning win.

"But I'm super proud of my team...each one of them really worked so hard throughout the game. "We just said one thing to each other, ‘Just believe in ourselves, we can do this well.'

"That belief like we can work really hard throughout the game...and this is only 60 minutes, just focus on the 60 minutes. I think everyone did that," she said.
India will play Argentina in the semi-final on Wednesday. The India captain said the win over Australia is a thing of the past now as their focus shifts to the remaining two games in the competition.

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