The Indian women's hockey team's dream of winning its first Olympic medal was dashed on Friday when it lost 3-4 to Great Britain in a hard-fought bronze play-off match at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The Indian women had already made history and surpassed all expectations by reaching the Games' semifinals for the first time. The first Olympic medal, however, remained out of reach as world no.4 Great Britain, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Games, triumphed in the tense contest.
Bajrang Punia of India advances to the semifinals of the men's 65kg wrestling after defeating Ghiasi Cheka. Seema Bisla was eliminated in the first round and will face a rematch.
Meanwhile, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar continue their campaign in the third round of women's individual golf.
“You may have lost the game, but you won our hearts.” The statement that is being sung in unison by every Indian who witnessed the women's hockey team put up a great fight against Great Britain in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics, despite the loss of a medal.
The women's hockey team may have lost its first Olympic medal game 3-4 to Great Britain in a hard-fought bronze play-off, but their tenacity on the ice is being praised across the country. The defeat comes just a day after the Indian men's team ended a 41-year medal drought by winning bronze against Germany in this year's Olympics with a 5-4 victory.
"We will always remember the great performance of our Women's Hockey Team at Tokyo 2020," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that India is proud of the outstanding team.
"We narrowly missed a medal in Women's Hockey but this team reflects the spirit of New India- where we give our best and scale new frontiers. More importantly, their success at #Tokyo2020 will motivate young daughters of India to take up Hockey and excel in it. Proud of this team," PM Modi tweeted.
The women's hockey team coach, Sjoerd Marijne thanked everyone for their support and said that the team may have missed the medal, but they certainly won something bigger. " We have made Indians proud again and we inspired millions of girls that dreams CAN come true as long as you work hard for it and believe it!" he wrote on Twitter.
Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary batsman, congratulated the girls on giving their all and fighting until the bitter end. Tendulkar stated that while the team did not win a medal, they did win many hearts. "Well done Team India on giving your best and fighting till the very end. You may have lost the match but you have won our hearts. We are all very proud of you," Tendulkar said.
