'My heart breaks': Hockeyroos left shattered after brutal upset
The Hockeyroos have been knocked after suffering a surprising loss to India in the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics.
Australia had enjoyed its best start ever to an Olympics campaign after winning all five group stage games and only conceding once.
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The Hockeyroos went into the quarter-final as strong favourites to advance, but a determined India team proved too much in the knock-out stage.
Australia were unable to crack the Indian defence, a Gurjit Kaur drag flick that bobbled home on 22 minutes the difference in the India women's finest hockey moment.
Australia were unable to score from any of their nine penalty corners - they converted just two-of-25 across the tournament - while Rosie Malone hit the post after 90 seconds.
India, who only snuck into the final eight with wins over Ireland and South Africa, earned their win though, defending valiantly as Australia pressed in the final quarter.
India didn't win a game in Rio five years ago but will now play for a medal for the first time, while three-time Olympic champions Australia's wait for a first medal since their 2000 gold continues.
Hockey community reacts to Australia upset
The Australian hockey community were left shattered at the upset result.
India were the fourth-placed team in Group A, while Australia toppled Group B.
However, India had too much in the do-or-die clash.
🇮🇳 HISTORY HAS BEEN MADE!!! 🙌#IND beat and knock out world no. 2 #AUS in the quarter-final match of women’s #hockey by 1-0 to seal their spot in SEMI-FINAL for the first time ever! 😍👏#Tokyo2020 | #StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion pic.twitter.com/HgBcsHg5Ob
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) August 2, 2021
Heartbreak for the Hockeyroos! After the best start to an Olympics ever they’ve gone down to India in the quarter final. India was just too good today. Head up Aussie girls, still proud! And a huge congratulations to India. Brilliant girls. Now go win gold will ya! #Hockey
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) August 2, 2021
Devastating result for the Hockeyroos. Beautiful to see the Indian girls so proud and elated - big for the sport when a country like India keeps getting stronger.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) August 2, 2021
From the elation of watching the Kookaburras penalty shoot out win yesterday, to the devastation of the Hockeyroos losing just then… My heart breaks for these girls… That’s sport. #olympics
— Georgie Parker (@georgieparker) August 2, 2021
Brutal for the Hockeyroos, first loss and they’re out, shattering #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/mp9q1TZPsi
— Evan Morgan Grahame (@Evan_M_G) August 2, 2021
Hockeyroos GONE! A huge upset with India 🇮🇳 beating Australia 🇦🇺 1-0. Just their 5th win in 42 meetings.
Aussies will be bitterly disappointed - undefeated in group stage but lost to the fourth placed team from Group A. https://t.co/xZlNa8ZnZD— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) August 2, 2021
India's victory over the World No.2 set up a clash with Argentina in the semi-final clash.
with AAP
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