We Would like To Dedicate This Medal To Our Doctors And Front-Line Warriors: Manpreet Singh

New Delhi: Hockey players are thrilled about India’s sensational and hard-fought victory over Germany in the Bronze medal match of Tokyo Olympic Games 20202. India beat Germany 5-4. India captain Manpreet Singh said: “I don't know what to say right now. It was fantastic, the way we played today. I think we deserved this medal as we have worked so hard, and the last 15 months have been so difficult for us, being in Bangalore away from our families. From the whole team and the coaches, we would like to dedicate this medal to our doctors and front-line warriors who have been checking us and saved so many people's lives in India.”

 Indian Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh said, “That is something which I never felt in my life until today. That's a great feeling. I think I need to go back to my home to realize what it is actually. Just waiting for that. I just called my dad because he was the reason behind me being here and I just wanted to tell him that I achieved it.”

"It was difficult, they got a penalty corner in the last six seconds. We thought we have got to save it with our lives. It is really hard. I am speechless right now," said the skipper, who seemed overcome by emotion. We had a long gap when we didn't get a medal. Now we will get more confidence, yes we can do it. If we can finish on the podium in Olympics, we can finish on the podium anywhere."

India had endured a 2-5 loss to Belgium in the semifinals, which put paid to their hopes of gold at the Games. Manpreet said coach Graham Reid shook the players out of the disappointment by telling them to stay focussed on the playoff game.

"...we didn't give up. We kept fighting back. It's a great feeling, best feeling. We came here for the gold, we won bronze, it is still a great thing. It's a great moment for all hockey fans," he said. "It's just a start here, it hasn't finished (with this bronze)."

Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who was one among the five scorers on the day, could not hold back tears while talking to the media and said it is just the start of great things in Indian hockey.

"People were forgetting hockey in India. They loved hockey, but they stopped hoping that we can win. But we won today. They can expect more from us in the future. Keep believing in us," he said.