In the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, the Indian women’s hockey team missed out on the bronze medal by a whisker and lost to Great Britain by 3-4. As the Indian ladies lost the game by 3-4, an emotional bubble burst with several of the teammates shedding a few tears. The notion of “so near, yet so far” was epitomized once again.

But amid all the disappointment of not bringing home a medal, Indian women’s team should be proud of surpassing all expectations, bringing their best game in, and in process, being an inspiration of millions of women in India.

Contents hide
1. Details
2. Quarter 1
3. Quarter 2
4. Quarter 3
5. Quarter 4
6. Prominent Netizens Laud Fierce Indian Women Hockey Team

Details

It was a match-up of a puny David and a fearsome goliath. Great Britain was the gold medalist team in the previous 2016 Rio Olympics. Meanwhile, India tied with several teams on a disastrous 12th rank in the same Olympics. The 2021 Olympics saw a much clinical and lethal Indian women hockey team that came inches close to scripting history.

Also Read: Chak De! Indian Hockey Team Makes History, Wins Bronze & Ends 41-year Olympic Medal Drought

Quarter 1

The first quarter progressed as any fan of the game would’ve anticipated it to, both the teams made it sure that the possession remained with them and put pressure on another team. Soon, a pass into the circle touched Gurjit Kaur and thus, a penalty corner was awarded to Great Britain. Savita Punia made a fantastic save to not concede a goal.

The first quarter ended with Great Britain launching a full pronged attack while Savita Punia saving multiple goals.

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Quarter 2

With the second quarter, a sharper Indian team emerged that realized that the best course of offense is a good defense. However, the defense was penetrated as Elena Rayer struck the ball precisely into the post and took the score to 1-0.

Within a few minutes, the Indian players were rattled again with a tomahawk played by Sarah Robertson. With 2-0 on board, India needed to make a comeback.

A comeback was needed and a comeback was made. Thanks to a penalty corner, Gurjit Kaur – one of the most successful convertors, took the score to 2-1.

The second quarter proved to be an eventful one with another penalty corner converted successfully by Indian team to take the score to 2-2. As the clock counted down to the end of the quarter, the trio of Sushila Chanu, Navneet and Vandana came under the D and Vandana was able to put the ball inside the goal to take a lead and get the score to 2-3.

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Quarter 3

Soon, the English team turned up the heat and equalized the score 3-3. The Indian women’s hockey team started displaying the jaded form it displayed in the first half of the first quarter. In the dying minutes, Savita again stopped the Great Britain offense and made some nice saves.

Quarter 4

With score tied at 3-3, India needed to hold their fort or initiate an attack to seal the game. But the form of the last quarter followed and a penalty corner to Great Britain led to the score turned 3-4 in Great Britain’s favour.

In the final 90 seconds of the game, India tried to put pressure, but it was to no avail as the former Gold Medalist team registered a victory against tough Indian team.

Also Read: Tokyo Olympics: Lovlina Borgohain Clinches Bronze, Goes Down Fighting Against World Champion

Prominent Netizens Laud Fierce Indian Women Hockey Team