The Indian women’s hockey team wasted chances galore to lose 1-4 against defending champions Great Britain on Wednesday, its third consecutive preliminary stage defeat which reduces the side’s chances of qualifying for the Olympic quarterfinals.
The Indians were guilty of wasting opportunities in their first two games and the trend continued on Wednesday as Great Britain punished them through strikes from Hannah Martin (2nd and 19th minute), Lily Owsley (41st minute) and Grace Balsdon (57th minute).
This was Great Britain’s second consecutive win in Pool A.
For India, Sharmila Devi scored the lone goal in the 23rd minute.
Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne described the defeat as his side’s ‘worst match’ of the ongoing Olympics and lambasted the players for failing to raise their game in the crucial match.
“This was our worst match. We always try to play for a six (out of 10) for each individual, and I don’t think each individual today played for a six. Bad decisions, bad choices and I’m pretty disappointed by this,” the Dutchman said after the match.
“The individual performances just weren’t good enough.”
Rani Rampal’s side will next play Ireland on Friday.
The Indians needed at least a point from this game to be safe but they now will have to win their remaining two matches against Ireland and South Africa to harbour any hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage.
Despite the setback, Marijne Insisted that they still have a chance of progressing to the knockout round and asked his players to introspect.
“We still have chances. There are still six points to get and that can be enough for the quarters. That’s what we’re all about, that’s our goal and that’s what I said to the girls,” the coach said.