The Indian men's hockey team went down 2-4 to Australia in their last Champions Trophy group stage match but qualified for the final and guaranteed themselves a medal after Great Britain drew 3-3 against Belgium.
India were under pressure right from the first minute, resorting to desperate defending. Their captain PR Sreejesh made some valiant saves but his team's tendency to give away penalty corners cost them as Trent Mitton broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Aran Zalweski doubled the lead three minutes later while Flyn Ogilvie made it 3-0 for Australia in the 35th minute.
VK Raghunath managed to drag things back for India with a deflected drag-flick from a penalty corner which went into goal but Tristan White restored Australia's three goal lead in the same minute. Mandeep Singh however gave India some hope by putting it in the 49th minute. Despite a lot of pressure exerted by India in the last ten minutes, Australia held on and finished top of the group.
Great Britain needed to defeat Belgium to displace but could only manage to draw 3-3. This is the first time India will have played in the Champions Trophy final in their history, with their best finish till now, a bronze in 1982.
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