Tokyo Olympics 2020: Hockey double glory denied, India women's team suffer ultimate heartbreak

The India women’s hockey team put up an epic, brave fight against Great Britain but they lost 3-4 to be denied a historic bronze in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

The India women's hockey team was denied a chance to win the bronze medal. (Image credit: Virender Sehwag Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Aug 6, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Savita Punia was once again the wall of India in a historic match. Vandana Katariya and Gurjit Kaur, the two heroes of the women’s hockey team in their success against South Africa and Australia, displayed top form once more. But, all their efforts, unfortunately, went in vain. In the bronze medal playoff against Great Britain, Gurjit Kaur converted two penalty corners. Katariya chipped in with a superb goal. But, indiscipline and inability to capitalize on majority of the opportunities in the third and fourth quarters saw the Indian women’s hockey team lose 3-4 to Great Britain in an epic encounter in Tokyo.

India women’s hockey team had reached the medal rounds for the first time in their history. The men’s side had already eliminated 41 years of pain by winning the bronze in a pulsating encounter against Germany 5-4. The women’s match also went down similar lines, only this time India was at the wrong end of the result.

India women’s team stage epic fightback in Bronze medal Hockey match

The first quarter saw both sides trying to find the attacking groove. Great Britain created many chances, but Savita Punia was like the rock of the side. She made an incredible double save in the 12th minute at close range to deny Sarah Jones and Elena Rayer. The first half was dominated by the brilliance of Savita. But, in the second quarter, what started as a slow burner suddenly exploded like a wildfire.

In the opening minutes of the second quarter, Rayer made inroads into the Indian defense. She had a shot at goal. But the ball hit the stick of Deep Grace Ekka and it went into the net. Lalremsiami came close to equalizing but India was reduced to 10 players when Nisha was handed a green card. Great Britain made full use of the advantage and doubled the lead with Shona McCallin and Sarah Robertson working in tandem.

That started an epic response from India. In the space of two minutes, India won two back-to-back penalty corners and Gurjit Kaur capitalized on both of them. The brilliance of Gurjit in penalty corners has been on a high ever since the game against Australia. Gurjit’s sublime play was fed upon by Katariya who gave India the lead. It was a chaotic goal with Sushila Chanu passing it to Sharmila Devi. However, she could not control it and the rebound fell to Navneet Kaur. She failed to slot the ball into the net but Katariya pounced on the opportunity.

Great Britain capitalise on India’s indiscipline

The third quarter saw India trying to hold on to their lead. Savita Punia was once again in top form as she denied Great Britain yet again from close range. But, skipper Hollie Pearne-Webb found the equaliser as India’s defence struggled for answers. Savita was once again at her brilliant best in the end of the third quarter to deny Rayer. This was Savita’s sixth stop and many commented that she was doing exactly what PR Sreejesh did against Germany.

The fourth quarter saw indiscipline creep into the Indian team. Udita got a yellow card and India were reduced to 10 players. Great Britain pounced on that and Grace Balsdon scored the goal that saw Great Britain take the lead. India once again were reduced to 10 players when Sharmila Devi was green carded. But, India won the penalty corner and Gurjit had the chance to level the game. But, she missed the chance and Great Britain had secured the medal.

It was a tough game for India. The match presented plenty of opportunities. But, in the end, the dream for India’s hockey team to achieve the double in the Olympics will have to wait for three years.