India Set to Face Spain for Bronze Medal at Paris Olympics
New Delhi: The Indian men’s hockey team is gearing up to face Spain for the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics on August 8. Here’s a short manual to get you geared up for the match. Field hockey is played with the goal of scoring the most goals within 60 minutes, divided into four 15-minute quarters.
The game begins with a toss to decide which team will control the ball first and choose their side of the field. The team that wins the toss will start with a pushback from the center of the field. Both teams will then battle for control of the ball and aim to score goals. Fouls can occur during play, with more severe penalties if committed within the Dee (the shooting circle). After a challenging 2-3 semifinal loss to Germany, Indian coach Craig Fulton is focused on rallying his players for the crucial bronze medal match.
The team is determined to overcome the disappointment of missing the final and is drawing on their past experience for motivation. In the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, India bounced back from a semifinal loss to win bronze, and they are aiming to replicate that resilience. The sentiment this time is different; the team is grappling with the regret of not advancing to the gold medal clash.
Fulton has emphasized the importance of moving forward and preparing for the next match. “Nothing is easy; this is the Olympics, and nothing is handed to you. We’ll recover, prepare, and come back for the next match,” Fulton stated. With their sights set on the bronze medal, the Indian team is ready to give it their all against Spain and secure a medal for their country.
