Breaking the 'Jinx' India Wins Its Olympic Hockey Medal After 41 Year Wait

NEW DELHI: Indian men's hockey team earned its first Olympic medal in 41 years as it beat Germany 5-4 in a high-octane bronze medal match in Tokyo on Thursday.

Timur Oruz put Germany ahead inside two minutes. India failed to clear a cross-shot from Timm Herzbruch, with Oruz forcing the ball over the goal-line.

India drew level in the second quarter courtesy of a fine finish from Simranjeet Singh, who effected a low backhand that clipped the kicker of German goalie GK Stadler.

However, Niklas Wellen put Germany in the lead again with a back-hand strike inside the right post from the left before Benedikt Furk made it 3-1.