Tokyo Olympics: Team GB win hockey bronze after thrilling victory over India

Great Britain’s women won the bronze medal at Oi Hockey Stadium after beating India 4-3 in a thrilling clash at the Tokyo Olympics.

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.

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.

Great Britain's Hannah Martin celebrates winning bronze in the Women's Bronze Medal Match at the Oi Hockey Stadium on the fourteenth day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.
Adam Davy

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.

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

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.

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.