The Manpreet Singh-led Indian men's hockey team suffered a defeat at the hands of Belgium in the first semi-final of the Tokyo Olympics 2021 at Oi Hockey Stadium North Pitch today. Meanwhile, grappler Sonam Malik lost her match against Mongolia's Bolortuya Khurelkhuu in women's freestyle 62kg event the Makuhari Messe Hall A Mat B. Sonam would not get for a repechage match as Mongolian wrestler lost her next match against Bulgaria's YUSEIN Taybe Mustafa on techincality ground.
Tokyo 2020 Medal Tally
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Men's hockey: India vs Belgium semifinal Belgium defeated India 5-2 in the semi-final and they will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Australia and Germany in the gold medal match on August 5.
On the other hand, India will lock horns in the bronze medal match same day with the loser of Australia vs Germany semifinal match. The Indian boys started well and looked to keep up the good work, but lost the tempo slightly in the last quarter and that is where the boys from Belgium capitalised. In fact, the last goal was a case of the Belgium players taking advantage as India withdrew goalie Sreejesh and brought in a field player.
Loick Luypaert gave Belgium an early lead in the match as he registered a goal in the starting minutes of the first quarter and as a result, India was put on the back foot straight away.
However, India struck back as Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh scored goals in quick succession, and as a result, India gained a 2-1 lead in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Belgium got the equaliser as Alexander Hendrickx successfully converted a penalty corner, and it brought the scoreline level to 2-2. No more goals were scored in the second quarter, and the scoreline remained level.
The deadlock was not broken in the third quarter as well, and as a result, heading into the last 15 minutes of the game, both India and Belgium were highly tensed. In the fourth quarter, it was Belgium who struck first as Hendrickx scored his second goal of the match, giving Belgium a 3-2 lead with more than 11 minutes still left to play.
A few minutes later, Hendrickx got his hat-trick as he converted from a penalty and hence, Belgium gained a 4-2 lead. In the end, Belgium managed to hang on and the side registered a victory, progressing ahead to the finals, their second successive final appearance.
ALSO READ: Olympics 2021: India men's and women's Hockey full schedule, squad, timings Sonam Malik in women's Freestyle 62kg 1/8 Final and QF Sonam scored one technical point each in the first and second periods and this gave her good momentum in the match.
However, Khurelkhuu stormed right back into the match as she registered two technical points in the second period, bringing the scoreline level to 2-2. Bolortuya was adjudged as the winner on the basis of separation criteria.
ALSO READ: Olympic swimming ends with a historic win: All you need to know Javelin thrower Annu Rani fails to qualify for finals Javelin thrower Annu Rani failed to qualify for the women's final here at the Olympic Stadium after an underwhelming show in the Women's Long Throws Qualification -- Group A.
Qualifying performance of 63.00 (Q) or at least 12 best performers (q) will advance to the final of the women's javelin throw. However, these 12 performers will be a compilation of competitors from Group A and B. The Group A qualification round will take place later in the day.
In her first attempt, Rani registered a throw of 50.35m. After the first attempt, Rani was placed at the ninth spot.
In the second attempt, the 28-year-old registered a throw of 53.19m and by the time everyone was done with their second attempt, Rani slipped to the 14th spot.
Annu registered a throw of 54.04m in her third and final throw and she was placed at the 14th spot when the Qualification Group A ended.
Poland's Maria Andrejczyk registered a throw of 65.24 in her very first attempt and as a result, she gained automatic qualification for the final.
Earlier in March this year, Annu rewrote her own national record with a 63.24m effort on the opening day of the 24th Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports complex.
India today’s schedule at Tokyo Olympics 2021
Athletics
5:50 a.m. Women's Javelin Throw Qualification (Group A) -- Annu Rani finished 7th in qualification round.
3:45 p.m. Men's Shot Put Qualification (Group A) -- Tejinderpal Singh Toor failed to qualify for final
Hockey
7:00 a.m. Men's semifinals India v Belgium: India lost
Wrestling
8:30 a.m. Women's Freestyle 62kg 1/8 Final and QF -- Sonam Malik lost her bout.
 "Olympics highlights: It's India men's hockey team vs Germany for bronze")
