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 16^th minute.

Sarah Robertson backhanded Sarah McCallin’s cross from the right in the 24^th minute to put GB 2-0 up but it sparked an Indian resurgence.

It came in the form of Gurjit Kaur in the 25^th 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 35^th 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.