IN PHOTOS: Indian women's hockey team unconsolable after Olympic heartbreak
IT WAS CLOSE, IT WAS REALLY CLOSE.
The history-making Indian women's hockey team's dream of securing its maiden Olympic medal remained unfulfilled as it lost 3-4 to Great Britain in a hard-fought bronze play-off but the stout-hearted side managed to record its best-ever finish at the Games on Friday.
From finishing last in Rio to coming so close to a medal at Tokyo…
🇮🇳 The Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s journey is one to be celebrated. #INDvsGBR | #Hockey | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/KOdLZpaEFU— The Bridge (@the_bridge_in) August 6, 2021
The team had already created history and surpassed all expectations by entering the semifinals of the Games for the first time.
But the maiden Olympic medal remained out of bounds as world no.4 Great Britain, who were gold-winners in the 2016 Rio Games, came out on top in the pulsating encounter.
India's best performance in the Olympics before this was a fourth-place finish in the 1980 Moscow Games but there were no semifinals in that edition as only six teams competed in a round-robin format and the top two featured in the final.
The heartbreak came a day after the Indian men's team ended a 41-year-old medal drought by clinching bronze with a 5-4 win over Germany.
The Indians played their hearts out and overcame a two-goal deficit to lead 3-2 at halftime. But a desperate Great Britain gave their everything in the second half and scored two goals to snatch the match from India's hands.
India scored three goals in a span of five minutes through Gurjit Kaur (25th, 26th minutes) and Vandana Katariya (29th) to stun Great Britain.
But the Britishers found the net four times through Elena Rayer (16th), Sarah Robertson (24th), skipper Hollie Pearne-Webb (35th) and Grace Baldson (48th) to emerge winners.
As expected, Great Britain started strongly and had the lion's share of ball possession and chances in the first quarter. The Indians made some circle penetrations but failed to create any clear-cut chances and were also guilty of losing possession at the midfield.
India goalkeeper Savita Punia stood out in the first quarter, denying Great Britain on at least three occasions. She first made a fine save from Great Britain's first penalty corner in the second minute and then pulled off a double save in the 12th minute to keep India in the hunt.
We did not win a medal, but I think we have won something bigger. We have made Indians proud again and we inspired millions of girls that dreams CAN come true as long as you work hard for it and believe it! Thanks for all the support! 🇮🇳
— Sjoerd Marijne (@SjoerdMarijne) August 6, 2021
We narrowly missed a medal in Women’s Hockey but this team reflects the spirit of New India- where we give our best and scale new frontiers. More importantly, their success at #Tokyo2020 will motivate young daughters of India to take up Hockey and excel in it. Proud of this team.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2021
India’s daughters - our determined athletes; we are immensely proud of you!
A giant leap of faith & fighting spirit by our women’s hockey team; a legacy that will inspire us to do even better!
You have shown us the way.#Tokyo2020 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/XD9Dsqp9So— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 6, 2021
In between Great Britain also wasted another penalty corner. Britain began the second quarter on the same pace and took the lead when Elena Rayer's push went into the net after getting a deflection of Deep Grace Ekka's stick. Minutes later, the former gold-medallists secured their third penalty corner which yielded no result.
Lalremsiami came close to equalising for India only to be denied by the experienced Maddie Hinch, who brilliantly kept away the Indian striker's reverse hit. India got their first penalty corner soon but wasted it.
Great Britain doubled their lead in the 24th minute when Robertson scored with a powerful reverse hit from top of the circle. A minute later, India got two back-to-back penalty corners and Gurjit converted the second chance to reduce the margin.
Two minutes later, Salima Tete's brilliant run from the left flank earned India another penalty corner and Gurjit was once bang on target to draw parity.
Brilliant Effort girls. You must hold your heads up high for the magnificent effort and the spirit with which you fought. You have been instrumental in making the nation ho crazy for Hockey again @TheHockeyIndia . #IndvsGBR pic.twitter.com/b6RSXbp9rN
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 6, 2021
You gave it your all. Proud of how you played. Won a billion hearts. Created history and inspired the next gen #IndiaAtTokyo2020 #womenhockeyindia
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 6, 2021
Heartbreak!!! But all reasons to hold our heads high. Well played Indian Women’s Hockey Team. You all inspired everyone in India. That itself is a victory.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 6, 2021
The performance of the Indian women’s hockey team has been one of the best stories of the Tokyo #Olympics They played as a team and gave it their all. Cannot ask for any more. Thank you for giving us fans so many wonderful memories 🙏🇮🇳🏑
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) August 6, 2021
The momentum shifted completely in India's favour as they started to attack with numbers and threatened the Great Britain goal frequently thereafter in the second quarter. After Sharmila Devi hit wide from a one-on-one situation, the Indians stunned Great Britain when Vandana tapped in an open ball inside the circle to go into halftime with a 3-2 lead.
Down by a goal, Great Britain were expected to come out hard after the resumption and they did exactly that forcing the pace of the game, securing a penalty corner two minutes into the third quarter but India defended well. But a minute later, Great Britain drew level through skipper Hollie Pearne-Webb.
Well done #TeamIndia on giving your best and fighting till the very end. 🏑
You may have lost the match but you have won our hearts. We are all very proud of you.#Hockey #Olympics #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/zf2QRM5EBE— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 6, 2021
Well done to my daughters for making it this far at the #Olympics. Don’t be discouraged by today’s outcome. Thank you for igniting the hope in all of us and I’m sure this is only the beginning of a medal laden future! #Tokyo2020 @TheHockeyIndia
— P.T. USHA (@PTUshaOfficial) August 6, 2021
The Indians then secured two more penalty corners but couldn't utilise them. Savita stood like a wall in front of the Indian goal and pulled off some brilliant saves to deny Great Britain. A second from the end of third quarter, India secured the seventh penalty corner but to no effect.
The fourth quarter completely belonged to Great Britain as they pressed hard on the Indian defence in search of goals. The ploy worked as the Indian backline wilted under pressure and conceded four quick penalty corners, three of them in succession and Baldson scored from the last one with a flick that went through Savita's legs.
India had one more chance in the form of a penalty corner in the last eight minutes but Great Britain defended stoutly to deny Gurjit a hat-trick. Thereafter, Great Britain did just enough to keep India at bay and to ensure a finish on the podium.
WITH PTI INPUTS