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India’s men’s hockey team clinched a second successive bronze medal at the Olympics for the first time in 52 years after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Spain, giving veteran goalkeeper P R Sreejesh a fitting farewell in Paris on Thursday.
It was tense last few minutes for the Indians as Spain forced two penalty-corners in the last minute but the defence stood tall and soaked in the pressure.
Having won a bronze in the Tokyo Games after a hiatus of 41 years, the eight-time Olympic champions lived up to expectations despite not having a perfect build-up to the tournament.
The last time India won back-to-back Olympic medals was in 1968 (bronze) and 1972 editions (bronze).
The bronze medal was also a desperate wait for the Indian contingent, which has endured six fourth-place finishes so far, apart the heartbreaking disqualification of wrestler Vinesh Phogat.
Spain went ahead with skipper Marc Miralles converting a penalty stroke in the 18th minute.
India’s captain Harmanpreet Singh then stole the limelight, scoring in the 30th and 33rd minute from penalty-corners.
Shrugging off their heart-wrenching 2-3 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals, India came out all guns blazing and dominated possession in the first quarter.
They penetrated Spain's defence regularly in the first 15 minutes and created the first scoring chance of the match in the sixth minute. Vice-captain Hardik Singh started a fine move from the right and passed the ball into the circle to Sukhjeet Singh, whose shot went just wide on the left of the Spanish goal as the Europeans survived.
The Spaniards played with more purpose and intensity in the second quarter and pressed hard. They took the lead in the 18th minute through a penalty stroke conversion by Miralles, after Manpreet Singh conceded an unnecessary foul inside the circle.
Spain maintained the tempo and secured back-to-back penalty-corners in the 20th minute but the Indians defended stoutly.
In the 28th minute, Spain secured another penalty-corner but Borja Lacalle’s effort hit the upright.
Still trailing, India pressed hard on the Spanish defence and secured their first penalty-corner in the 29th minute but could not convert.
Manpreet compensated for his fault earlier by earning India another penalty-corner; this time Harmanpreet was bang on target.
Three minutes later, Mandeep got a free-hit for India and Rodriguez stopped the ball with a his back-stick, resulting in a penalty-corner, which Harmanpreet scored from.
India got another penalty-corner in the 35th minute, but Harmanpreet's fierce flick was blocked by goalkeeper Luis Calzado.
Mandeep Singh's terrific run from the left flank resulted in another penalty-corner but Spanish on-ruhser Jordi Bonastre took a blow on his left knee to deny India.
Sreejesh then foiled an attempt from Spain as India maintained its 2-1 lead till the end of third quarter.
Hardik had to be taken off the field five minutes after the fourth quarter after he collided with a rival player to suffer a hand injury.
This was after India yet again made a penalty-corner save. It was Manpreet, mistakenly landed the ball on Hardik's foot.
However, Marc Recasens hit wide, much to the relief of the Indian camp.
Three minutes from the final hooter, Spain took off goalkeeper Calzado in a desperate attempt to find the equaliser but India held firm.