The Indian women's hockey team stunned Australia to enter the semi-finals in Tokyo Olympics on Monday. The team scripted history by qualifying for the Olympic Games semifinals for the first time, beating three-time champions Australia by a solitary goal. Coming into the match, the odds were against India as world no. 2 Australia, a mighty unbeaten opponent, awaited them in the last eight round. India put up a strong performance to eke out the narrow win over 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 goal that will go in the history books! ????
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) August 2, 2021
Watch Gurjit Kaur's brilliant drag flick that led #IND to a 1-0 win over #AUS in an epic quarter-final ????#Tokyo2020 | #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | #Hockey | #BestOfTokyo pic.twitter.com/MkXqjprLxo
Goalkeeper Savita Punia, meanwhile, managed to save all the nine shots directed at her, earning the well-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।
— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) August 2, 2021
Our women's #hockey team too has entered the semifinals at #Tokyo2020 beating Australia in a thrilling quarterfinal.
What a match! Great game by everyone, Savita was phenomenal.
You have won our hearts @TheHockeyIndia ????#INDvsAUS #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/MtfliLmzWY
"Wall of Indian Women Hockey Team : Savita Punia," wrote BJP leader Y Satya Kumar.
Wall of Indian Cricket Team : Rahul Dravid
— Y. Satya Kumar (@satyakumar_y) August 2, 2021
Wall of Indian Men's Hockey Team : PR Sreejesh
8 PC to GBR, but India did not concede a single goal.
Wall of Indian Women Hockey Team : Savita Punia
7 PC to Aus, but India did not concede any goal.#INDvsAUS#hockeyindia pic.twitter.com/6fBkbr7aVf
Take a look at some other reactions:
Sreejesh was ???? yesterday, today Savita is the ????. What a powerhouse performance from her! #TokyoOlympics #Tokyo2020 #hockeyindia #Hockey #Cheers4India #teamindia pic.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.
— Varadraj Adya (@varadadya) August 2, 2021
More power to the Goalies... pic.twitter.com/BK9yjTs654
Nothing
— Anshuman (@Anshuman84m2) August 2, 2021
Just a pic of Savita standing at the Indian Goal Post
This girl saved 8/8#INDvsAUS#Hockey pic.twitter.com/r1GM6nyVHe
It was a classic story of the triumph of the underdogs as India beat Australia 1-0 to enter the semi-finals, and comparisons to Chak De! India were inevitable. In the 2007 film, Shah Rukh Khan played the role of the coach of Indian women's hockey team. The underdog team went on to win the World Cup against all odds in the hit movie.
On social media this morning, Chak De! India comparisons abounded after India's stunning victory, which came only a day after the Indian men's team 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!
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 2, 2021
Absolute Wow moment. First ever Olympics hockey semi-finals for our girls. Filled with pride.
Chak De India #Hockey pic.twitter.com/c9I5KZFaZ5
"Chak de India happening in Tokyo!" wrote author Chetan Bhagat.
Chak de India happening in Tokyo!
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) August 2, 2021
Congrats Indian Hockey team!
Boxer Manish Kaushik was all praise for the team.
Incredible Performance!! Chak De India ????????
— Manish Kaushik (@iboxermanish) August 2, 2021
What a great show by @TheHockeyIndia Women's Team ???????? ???? They have created history by entering #Olympics semifinals for 1st time after beating #Australia by 1-0.
The entire nation is proud of you girls! Go for Gold ????#Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/9bMFXTsOl9
Some even shared scenes from the 2007 film
An actual Chak De Monday ???? #OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/LyMwNFZrM6
— richa singh (@richa_singh) August 2, 2021
Take a look at some of the other jubilant reactions after India vs Australia:
Woooooo hoooooo.... Chak de Girlsssss . #IndiavsAustralia pic.twitter.com/kP2kQozCRH
— Abhisar Sharma (@abhisar_sharma) August 2, 2021
‘Chak De India'.
— Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) August 2, 2021
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 #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/7LKHcaSBh2
Actual Chak De moment for Indian Women's Hockey team. Well done! My best wishes for the semi-finals pic.twitter.com/WfYZibV6uV
— Rajvardhan Singh Dattigaon (@dattigaon) August 2, 2021
India's best performance in the Olympics came way back in the 1980 Moscow Games where they finished fourth out of six teams. The Rani Rampal-led side will play Argentina in the semifinal on Wednesday.
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