The Indian women's hockey team made a historic entry intothe quarterfinals, finishing fourth in Pool A after Ireland were beaten 2-0 byGreat Britain in the final league match on Saturday.
India in its last league match on Saturday (July 31) defeatedSouth Africa with 4-3 however, their way to quarterfinals was dependent on the resultof the match between defending champions Great Britain and Ireland as thelatter was placed fifth in the group and could finish fourth ahead of India.
For India to qualify, Great Britain had to beat Irelandand that's what happened in a well-fought match on Saturday. A victory forIreland would have taken them to six points, the same as India but the Irishwould have qualified on a better goal difference.
However, Ireland's defeat meant India finished fourth in their pool behindNetherlands, Germany, and Great Britain.
India will meet former champions Australia in theirquarterfinal match on Monday at 8:00 am. It will be Netherlands v New Zealand;Spain v Great Britain and Germany v Argentina in the other quarterfinals.
This is a historic feat and a maiden entry in thequarterfinals for India, who are playing only their third Olympics afterappearances in 1980, in which women's hockey made its debut and 2016 when theteam finished last in their pool.
It is also an indication of the progress made by thewomen's team in the last few years as they have made it to the top-10 a fewyears back.
Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne had set the team the target toreach the quarterfinals and they finally achieved it on Saturday."Reaching the quarterfinals looks a realistic aim for this team,"Marijne had said before the team left for the Olympics and his girls achievedthat target on Saturday.