Tokyo Olympics: Penalty corner clinches bronze for British hockey stars

Great Britain’s women won the bronze medal at Oi Hockey Stadium after beating India 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at the Tokyo Olympics.
By YP Sport
Published 6th Aug 2021, 07:07 BST
We've done it: Britain celebrate after defeating India during the women's field hockey bronze medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Britain won 4-3. Picture: AP Photo/John LocherWe've done it: Britain celebrate after defeating India during the women's field hockey bronze medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Britain won 4-3. Picture: AP Photo/John Locher
We've done it: Britain celebrate after defeating India during the women's field hockey bronze medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Britain won 4-3. Picture: AP Photo/John Locher

Although the Rio 2016 champions relinquished their title following an emphatic semi-final loss to Holland on Wednesday, they dug deep and secured a third successive Games podium finish.

The London 2012 bronze medallists had to dig deep, though, leading 2-0, then falling behind before winning it in the final quarter with Grace Balsdon’s penalty corner clincher.

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Ellie Rayer opened the scoring, then Sarah Robertson made it 2-0, only for India to score three times in four minutes during a frantic second quarter, with Gurjit Kaur scoring twice and Vandana Katariya also netting.

Celebration: Great Britain's Anna-Frances Toman and Hannah Martin celebrate winning bronze at the Oi Hockey Stadium. Picture: PACelebration: Great Britain's Anna-Frances Toman and Hannah Martin celebrate winning bronze at the Oi Hockey Stadium. Picture: PA
Celebration: Great Britain's Anna-Frances Toman and Hannah Martin celebrate winning bronze at the Oi Hockey Stadium. Picture: PA

Captain Hollie Pearne-Webb equalised in the third quarter, before Britain showed composure to go back in front and close out a fine victory that sparked scenes of wild celebration.

After a scoreless first quarter, Britain needed less than a minute of the second quarter to deservedly go ahead.

Rayer left the Indian defence floundering with a surging run, and she was awarded the goal, despite her cross being heavily deflected past India’s goalkeeper.

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Ansley then hit the post as Britain continued to impress, and they went 2-0 up following a brilliant turn and shot by Robertson.

Delighted: Great Britain's Giselle Ansley celebrates winning bronze at the Oi Hockey Stadium.Delighted: Great Britain's Giselle Ansley celebrates winning bronze at the Oi Hockey Stadium.
Delighted: Great Britain's Giselle Ansley celebrates winning bronze at the Oi Hockey Stadium.

Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch made a sharp reflex save following a rare India attack, but the deficit was then reduced after Kaur struck from a penalty corner, before she repeated the feat two minutes later, making it 2-2.

Remarkably, India added a third goal in four minutes through Katayira. It went to a video referral before being allowed to stand, and Britain suddenly had a huge fight on their hands, trailing 3-2 at half-time.

Britain needed to regroup after such a demoralising end to the second quarter, and they responded impressively, establishing a strong platform before Pearne-Webb hit a powerful shot into the corner of India’s net.

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Two more penalty corners put the reigning Olympic champions under pressure, though, and Hinch made a fine save as a thrilling encounter continued at stamina-sapping pace, tied 3-3 entering the final quarter.

Then Balsdon struck, Britain kept their composure, and India could find no way back as the bronze medal was secured following an epic encounter.

Related topics:IndiaHolland

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