Tokyo 2020: Great Britain win hockey bronze after thrilling victory over India

Team GB's women took home a 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 initially led 2-0, then fell 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.

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.

Speaking after the match, Balsdon said: “We are extremely happy. We have worked incredibly hard, and you can see how much we wanted it for each other. “It is an unbelievable feeling. We knew we had it in ourselves if we dug deep. “To get three medals in three Olympics is incredible. It is a special legacy”.

Meanwhile, Team GB's Lauren Price delivered a huge last round to win her middleweight boxing semi-final against Dutch rival Nouchka Fontijn and reach the Olympic final. Price, who controversially beat Fontijn in the 2019 world final after an appeal, looked to be heading for a loss after she was deducted a point in round two for excessive holding. Despite trailing on four of the five cards heading into the last round, Price turned it around to book her place in Sunday’s final via split decision.