Tokyo: The Indian women’s hockey team’s Tokyo Olympics campaign are all but over after they lost their third consecutive game at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday. The Rani Rampal-led side lost 1-4 against Great Britain at the Oi Hockey Stadium.
With only two games left against Ireland and South Africa in Group A, India need to win both the game with big margins and hope that 2018 World Cup finalists Ireland lose heavily in their remaining two. Germany and Netherlands have already made it to the knockouts from the group.
World No. 5 Great Britain made a quick start after midfielder Hannah Martin scored on the rebound. Indian goalkeeper Savita made a fantastic save from the right but Martin was right on position to put the ball back into the net to give Great Britain the lead.
India managed to claim two penalty corners late in the first quarter but drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur’s efforts were blocked by the opposition. India upped their tempo in the second quarter and play more aggressive from the outset. However, they suffered a setback in the 19th minute as Martin doubled the lead for the Britons, this time also on the rebound.
Despite the setback, India continued to play aggressive hockey and increasingly kept more possession of the ball. India got their reward in the 23rd minute when young forward Sharmila Devi’s quick-fire deflection off Gurjit Kaur’s drag-flick ensured India their first goal.
The following minutes saw India play with more confidence after getting the goal and dominated the final seven minutes of the half. The third quarter began with India receiving a flurry of penalty corners but Deep Grace Ekka failed to score from any. At the other end, Savita made three brilliant PC saves to keep India in the game.
India got their seventh PC in the 37th minute but the result was the same. Great Britain made it 3-1 in the 41st through experienced forward Lily Owsley before Grace Balsdon put the icing on the cake three minutes from time.
