The Indian men's hockey team won the bronze medal by defeating Germany 5-4 at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday. The medal is India's 12th overall hockey medal at the Olympics and the first in 41 years. India won the last of its eight hockey gold medals at the 1980 Moscow Games.
Here's how various players and coaches reacted to India's bronze medal, which puts them at the top of the list of hockey Olympic medalists, breaking a tie with Germany.
PR Sreejesh, Goalkeeper, Indian men's hockey team
"It's been 41 years. In the 1980s, we won the last medal and after that, nothing. Today when we won it, it gives the youth energy to take up hockey, play this sport.
"It's a beautiful game. Now we're giving them a reason to take up hockey, play sports."
On his mindset for the game - "I was ready for everything today because it's 60 minutes anything. I've been playing hockey for the past 21 years and I just said one thing to myself: 'Take 21 years of experience, Just play that 60 minutes'.
"Even for the last penalty corner, this is what I said: 'Mr, you've worked hard for the last 21 years and that's what you want to do now, save one'. I did it, and we're on the podium now. are on."
On his role as a senior member of the team - "When you step on the field as a hockey player you are part of a dream and as a member of the team you have your own responsibilities, your There are duties.
"So being a senior player, being a goalkeeper, being a member of a team, I think saving the ball is my first priority. (Secondly) guiding my players, building our defense , and also motivating my players and I feel I am doing justice to my duty."
On the feeling of winning - "It's a great feeling. I feel like I need to go back to my home to realize what it really is. That's just what I'm waiting for."
On their post-match video call - "I just called my dad because he had a reason for me being here and I just wanted to let him know that I got it and the medal goes to my dad."
Manpreet Singh, Captain, Indian men's hockey team
"I don't know what to say right now, it was fantastic. Effort, game, we were down 3-1. I think we deserve this medal. We've worked so hard, the last 15 months were tough for us Also, we were in Bangalore and some of us got COVID.
"We would like to dedicate this medal to the doctors and frontline health workers who have saved many lives in India."
On the tense end - "It was difficult, they got a penalty corner in the last six seconds. We thought we had to save it with our lives. It's really tough. I'm just speechless."
What medal means for Indian hockey - "We had a long gap when we didn't get medal. Now we will get more confidence, yes we can do it. If we can finish on podium in Olympics, then We can finish on the podium anywhere. It's just the beginning here, it's not over (with this bronze). It's a great moment for all hockey fans."
Rupinder Pal Singh, drag-flicker, Indian men's hockey team
"People were forgetting hockey in India. They loved hockey, but they stopped hoping that we could win. But we won today. They can expect more from us in the future. Trust us. Keep doing it."
Simranjit Singh, Forward, Indian men's hockey team
“It was my dream and it will be an unforgettable experience. When I fell asleep last night, I was dreaming about making these goals and today I was able to fulfill my dreams and help India lead It's a very proud moment for us to be in this game.
"Today we have made 1.3 billion Indians proud by finishing on the podium. This is an experience of a lifetime and we will try to continue this in other tournaments."
Graham Reid, Coach, Indian men's hockey team
“It is a great feeling. It takes a long time for these athletes to get where they have reached and after a lot of sacrifices that the whole group has made.
When the team is down 3-1 - "Before the game I asked people to make sure that if something happens they will bring the next level, for example, if you are down, you have to bring the game to the next level. and they did it very well."
Conceded in the last second on a penalty corner - "(It) never ends until it's over. It's always easy to say you should do this or that but there are a lot of things that go on. It's been one of those signings of this team, which we've tried to develop and make sure we can always come back and I think we did."
On PR Sreejesh - "It's good to have someone like Sreejesh in the goal, glad we didn't have to go into the shootout. He is a legend of Indian hockey. He has worked a lot in the background to get as far as he is. "
Roelant Oltmans, former India coach (2015-2017)
It's great to see the team's fighting spirit in the second quarter. You could feel that the boys had a good spirit and they would bring him home. I am really proud of what they have done and it feels great to be a small part of this journey. During the 2016 Olympics, we were ranked 13th in the world but still we made it to the quarterfinals. So we were getting closer, and the foundation was being laid for the team to hit the medals. We then lost to Belgium, who became silver medalists that year.
Hockey in India has been on the right track since last few years, you can see it in the quality of boys in the team. It is important that it is not a matter of one day but becomes a structural breakthrough, because in the end you want to be Olympic champion and world champion. The whole philosophy of Hockey India is to ensure that we maintain this level and ensure that we do not fall out of the top four.
Hockey India League's role has also been instrumental in locating the youth and giving them an opportunity to walk shoulder to shoulder with some of the top foreign names.
Harendra Singh, former coach, Indian men's, women's and junior team
I always say that we keep Indian hockey in our hearts but as coaches and players we haven't given the country a reason to keep that love alive and celebrate the game in four decades. Today finally that day has come. This is not a medal. These are 16 medals traveling to different parts of the country and this is where the journey of a new era in Indian Hockey begins.
I believe that in the 2023 World Cup India will stand on the podium, not on the right or left but in the centre. We have seen this team play fearless hockey throughout the Olympics. The reason for this is his fitness. They are not afraid of losing the ball. They know that even if they lose the ball, they can regain possession within six seconds.
I took the mark for the 2004 Olympics (Poland scored a draw in the last minute to take India to the semi-finals). The medal was almost a long way away but (we) missed that opportunity. We cried a lot that day. My heart was in my mouth when Sreejesh was about to save those dying moments today. He made no mistake and that is the talent of the boy.
It's midnight here (in California), but my heart is full of joy and I'm definitely not going to sleep tonight.
Michael Nobbs, former India coach (2011-2013)
When Harendra (Singh) and I were working in the Indian Junior World Cup team, 'I told him, 'This is the team that will get you a medal in 2020'. Under pressure, the kids stuck well, they handled the ball well, and those kids have come that far.
When I was with the team in 2012, the team was changing – to young people and the federation was also changing hands. This was the beginning of getting older people out and getting rid of some of the cultural problems. It has been a consistent line-up of coaches since then and the Australian players in particular have done a great job.
The young players who make up the team today do not carry the baggage of old Indian hockey with them. When they hit the ground, they expect themselves to win. In three years' time, I guarantee you that India will be up the medal charts.
Cedric D'Souza, former India coach, (2001–2002)
There's only one word to describe it: Ecstasy. This medal is incredible, and the culmination of efforts over the years. For me, it's just goosebumps and hair standing on the ends. The most striking feature of this team is the belief they have shown in their unity as a unit. He has forward momentum, he has a solid defense and his ability to face any team in the world and stand out has been a revelation.
Huge prop for Graham Reid's coach. Apart from being a great coach, (he) is a wonderful human being who has brought this support to the fore within the team. You can see the hunger for victory on the faces of the boys. In the end, it was our fitness, our pressure on the ball and our ability to score and defend really strong (that was out).
Sreejesh has been excellent and for me the unsung hero has been Simranjit (Singh). Incredible performance from a guy who wasn't at 16 to come back and play the way he did. Our first wave of penalty runners, Amit (Rohidas) and Sumit have been brilliant with their running line. Now we are number 3 in the world and now we should try to reach number 1.