Indian Women’s Hockey Team Suffer 6-0 Loss in Bronze Medal Match

CWG 2018: The Indian women’s hockey team suffered a 0-6 defeat in the bronze medal match to England.

CWG 2018: England players celebrate a goal against India in the bronze medal match.

(Photo: Reuters)

The Indian women’s hockey team suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat in the bronze medal match against England to finish fourth at the Commonwealth Games.

India could convert none of the five penalty corners and their defensive line-up cracked under pressure in the final quarter to finish their Gold Coast campaign on a low.

India had beaten the same England team 2-1 in Pool matches earlier this week.

This is now the third straight time that India’s women's hockey team will return empty-handed from the Games, having last won a silver at the 2006 edition.

CWG 2018: Indian players in a huddle during the bronze medal match against England.(Photo: Reuters)

England’s Sophie Gray stood out with her stellar show as she steered her side to victory with three field goals while Laura Unsworth, Hollie Pearne-Webb and captain Alexandra Danson struck a goal each in their commendable victory.

Navneet Kaur earned India’s first penalty corner in the eighth minute. However, it resulted in an injury to Vandana Kataria as Gurjit Kaur’s furious hit rebounded off England custodian’s pads and hit Vandana on her forehead. The freak injury forced her out of the field.

India were given another penalty corner but the England defence was solid.

Three minutes later, England captain Danson earned her team a penalty corner but Savita stood like a rock in front of the goalpost, not allowing the ball to pass through.

Both team played a measured game with a mix of attack and defence and the second quarter also looked like going barren but moments before the break, India conceded a penalty corner and Hollie Pearne-Webb put England ahead by beating the Indian goalkeeper with ease.

Vandana Katariya returned to the field after sustaining an injury during the match.(Photo: Reuters)

Vandana took the field with bandage on her forehead and immediately made an impact as India got three back-to-back penalty corners.

However, India could convert none as England goalkeeper Madeleine Hinch and their defence foiled all attempts.

Indian players lacked variation and co-ordination to pull off the equaliser.

England too got its third PC soon but Hanah Martin could not beat Savita this time. A defensive lapse could have cost India but Laura Unsworth hit wide off a diagonal pass.

Just two minutes were left in the third quarter when Sophie Bray found the back of the net with a stunning reverse hit from top of the striking circle, doubling the lead for England.

India had no choice but to go all out and succeeded in getting another penalty corner in the first minute of the final quarter but conversion remained an issue.

Sophie, though, was yet again bang on target as she consolidated her team's lead. Sophie trapped the ball which came from Hanah Martin's stick and beat three Indian defenders to slam it home.

Laura Unsworth, Sophie and Danson then put it beyond India by pumping in three quick goals.