India’s bid for a bronze medal in women’s hockey at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ended in tears at the Oi Stadium on Friday.
In a see-saw battle, just as the men’s encounter won by India over Germany a day ago, defending champions Great Britain beat Rani Rampal’s girls 4-3 to finish on the podium in their third successive Olympics.
GB surged to a 2-0 lead with goals by Elena Rayer whose intended cross after a sparkling run on the right flank took Deep Grace Ekka’s stick and entered the goal in the 16th minute.
Sarah Robertson backhanded Sarah McCallin’s cross from the right in the 24th minute to put GB 2-0 up but it sparked an Indian resurgence.
It came in the form of Gurjit Kaur in the 25th minute whose drag-flick from India’s third penalty corner beat Maddie Hinch, the iconic GB goalkeeper, and the left post-woman.
The impressive Salima Tete then forced another PC, duly converted by Gurjit for her fourth goal of the tournament to make it 2-2 and, incredibly, it was 3-2 a minute from halftime when Vandana Katariya slotted home following a cross from the left flank by Sushila Chanu.
GB came out guns blazing after the interval.
A PC forced by the defending champions was saved on the line by Monika Malik.
GB and Isabelle Petter were denied again, this time by goalkeeper Savita Punia, a big star in the campaign.
The pressure GB exerted, though, was bound to tell and Hollie Pearne-Webb found the equalizer in the 35th minute.
At the other end, Hinch saved Gurjit’s drag-flick at a PC while, at the other end, Savita prevented her team going behind with a series of saves as the third quarter drew to a close.
A moment of indiscretion by defender Udita brought a double whammy – a yellow card and a PC, three minutes into the final quarter.
It led to three re-awards before Grace Balsdon sent a powerful flick between Savita’s legs for the match-winner.
A green card to Sharmila Devi even as Udita rejoined action left India with a numerical disadvantage but they still forced a PC which failed to fetch a goal.
GB, 23-9 on circle penetrations, then controlled play with minimal fuss to stymie India’s endeavours to equalize.