Thread by @NikhilNaz

Here’s why this win by the women’s hockey team is being hailed as one of India’s greatest sporting performances ever.. (1/8)
#Olympics2020 #Hockey

(2/8)
This is only the 3rd Olympic appearance for the Indian women’s hockey team. So just reaching here was a big deal, let alone making the semis.....

(3/8)
Their last olympic campaign was a disaster. They failed to win a single game at #Rio2016 finishing last in their group. ..

(4/8)
This team only made #Tokyo2020 after beating USA narrowly (6-5) in a 2 legged olympic qualifier. This after they had failed to make the cut as continental champions- losing the gold to Japan at the Asian Games.

(5/8)
Then, just a couple of months before #Tokyo2020, seven members-including captain Rani Rampal and goal-keeper Savita- were down with Corona.

(6/8)
They began their #Tokyo2020 campaign with a 5-1 loss to Netherlands and followed it up with losses to Germany and Britain. They won the next 2, but made the quarters by the skin of their teeth- thanks to other results going their way.

(7/8)
Then, in their first ever olympic quarters they were up against a world no.2 Australia— a team undefeated in the tournament so far, and a team that had conceded just a solitary goal in 5 group games.

(8/8)
But, against all odds, India won the match 1-0.. thanks to their supreme fitness levels and a defensive masterclass.