“Keep this dream alive” – PR Sreejesh upbeat after India qualify for hockey semi-final in Paris Olympics 2024

Commonwealth Games - Birmingham 2022. - Source: Getty
Commonwealth Games - Birmingham 2022. - Source: Getty

PR Sreejesh was over the moon after India made their way to the semi-final of men’s hockey in the Paris Olympics 2024. The team, led by Harmanpreet Singh, is just one win away from competing for the gold medal in the quadrennial event. On Sunday, a 10-man India beat Great Britain 4-2 in a thrilling penalty shootout after the quarterfinal initially ended at 1-1.

India are now set to face Germany in the semi-final in a rematch of the bronze-medal match at the Tokyo Olympics. Three years ago, India got the better of the Germans and would be looking for a similar performance even this time around. Germany, in the meantime, beat Argentina 3-2 in the other quarters.

Sreejesh said that the victory against Great Britain held a lot of importance for the Indian side. He also thanked the fans and their well-wishers for backing the team throughout and being their strength.

“This is how much it meant for all of us. Like I said, this could have been the last, but we have earned the right to play two more! Your support has been our strength, India. Let us keep this dream alive together,” Sreejesh wrote on X.

PR Sreejesh looks to end on a high

Earlier, Sreejesh said that he would retire from international hockey after the ongoing Paris Olympics. The veteran has every chance of finishing on a high.

Against Great Britain, Sreejesh played a key role as India’s brilliant defense kept their opposition in check. Skipper Harmanpreet also played a crucial part after he gave India a 1-0 lead in the contest.

With the bronze in Tokyo, they ended a 41-year-long wait of winning an Olympic medal in hockey. But having not won a gold since Moscow 1980, India would be itching to finish on top of the podium after 44 years.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava