India create history, win Olympic hockey medal after 41 years
Tokyo, Aug 5: The Indian men's hockey team rewrote history as it claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years, beating a plucky Germany 5-4 to claim the bronze in an edge-of-the-seat play-off match of the ongoing Games here on Thursday.
The eight-time former gold-winners, who battled a heartbreaking slump in the last four decades, made the resurgence of the last couple of years count in the best way possible with an Olympic medal.
Simranjeet Singh (17th, 34th minutes) scored a brace, while Hardik Singh (27th), Harmanpreet Singh (29th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (31st) were the other goal getters for India.
Germany's goals were scored by Timur Oruz (2nd), Niklas Wellen (24th), Benedikt Furk (25th) and Lukas Windfeder (48th).
Determined to clinch a medal, the Indians made one of the most memorable comebacks in the history of the game, fighting back from a two-goal deficit to turn the match in their favour.
There were tears and hugs on the field as the Indians led by Manpreet Singh and coached by Australian Graham Reid savoured the historic moment.
It is India's third hockey bronze medal in the history of the Olympics.
The other two came in 1968 Mexico City and the 1972 Munich Games.
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Restrictions imposed in Kashmir after protests over killing of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei
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Srinagar(PTI): Authorities on Monday imposed several restrictions in parts of Kashmir where massive street protests were witnessed over the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint strike by the US and Israel.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk has been sealed with barricades erected all around it, officials said.
They said a large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel have been deployed across the city to prevent gatherings of protestors.
Khamenei was killed in an airstrike in Tehran on Saturday during a joint Israel-US attack on Iran. Iranian state media confirmed the same on Sunday, triggering a wave of protests and mourning across the world, including India.
Kashmir — which has about 15 lakh Shias — witnessed major protests at Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama, an official said.
The protesters were seen beating their chests as they shouted anti-US and anti-Israel slogans.
The officials said the restrictions were imposed as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
Concentrated wires and barricades have been placed at important intersections leading into the city, they said.
Similar curbs have been imposed in Shia-dominated areas in other districts of the valley.
The restrictions come in the backdrop of a one-day strike call given by Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulama (MMU) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
"We urge the people to observe it with unity, dignity, and complete peacefulness," the Mirwaiz said.
The MMU strike call was supported by several political parties, including opposition PDP president Mehbooba Mufti.
"Extending our full support and solidarity with the shutdown call of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on the martyrdom of Iran's Supreme Leader. This is a day of mourning to remind the world that injustice anywhere wounds the entire Muslim Ummah and all who stand for truth," Mufti said.
The authorities have also closed all educational institutions, including private schools, for two days, as a precautionary measure for the safety of students and to maintain law and order.
