Tokyo, Aug 1: The Indian men's hockey team defeated Great Britain 3-1 in a quarterfinal match to qualify for the semifinals of Olympics Games after 49 years here on Sunday.
India scored three field goals through Dilpreet Singh (7th minute), Gurjant Singh (16th) and Hardik Singh (57th) to seal the win for the eight-time Olympic champions.
The lone goal for Great Britain was scored by Sam Ward in the 45th minute.
Even though India's last of the eight Olympic gold medals came way back in 1980 Moscow Games, there were no semifinals in that edition as only six teams participated in the event.
The last time India featured in the semifinals of the Olympics was in 1972 Munich Games where they lost 0-2 to arch-rivals Pakistan.
India will take on world champions Belgium in the semifinal on Tuesday.
Belgium defeated Spain 3-1 in another quarterfinal to seal their place in the last four round.
The other semifinal of the men's hockey competition will be played between Australia and Germany.
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Srinagar (PTI): National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday criticised Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for failing to "condemn" the assassination of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mehdi said if Abdullah cannot find the courage to condemn the assassination of Khamenei, his words of concern for the situation in the Gulf country have no value for the people who followed and respected the Supreme leader of Iran.
"While going through Tweets and statements, I found that he is "concerned" and falls short of condemnation, let alone a word of tribute," Mehdi said in a post on X without naming the chief minister.
The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar constituency, who is in an estranged relationship with the ruling National Conference, said if Abdullah does not have the courage to condemn the act of aggression against a sovereign nation, he should keep his concern to himself.
"If you cannot find the courage to condemn an act of aggression against a sovereign nation and assassination of a highly respected religious figure who is widely followed by your electorate and fellow citizens, because the people in power in the centre you are trying to cosy up to will get upset- Keep your "concern" with yourself," Mehdi added.
The chief minister on Sunday said he was deeply concerned about the unfolding developments in Iran, including the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"I appeal to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest," he posted on X.
National Conference issued a statement attributed to party president Farooq Abdullah in which he condemned the killing of Khamenei in joint strikes by the US and Israel.
"(Farooq) Abdullah has strongly denounced the act, describing it as a tragic and destabilising development with serious implications for peace and stability in the region," the National Conference said in the statement.
While going through Tweets and statements I found that he is “concerned” and falls short of condemnation let alone a word of tribute.
— Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) March 1, 2026
If you cannot find courage to condemn an act of aggression against a sovereign nation and assassination of a highly respected religious figure…
