Tokyo Olympics 2020: Scottish hockey player Sarah Robertson on target as Britain win bronze

Sarah Robertson was the pride of Team GB as she wrapped up Olympic women’s hockey bronze in Tokyo.

The Borders-born player helped Britain beat India in a 4-3 thriller to claim bronze and keep their proud place on the women's hockey podium.

With Team GB having won bronze at London 2012 and gold at Rio 2016, the class of 2021 have created their own history.

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“I think we definitely deserve to be on that podium,” said captain Hollie Pearne-Webb.

Sarah Robertson of celebrates scoring Britain's second goal with Shona McCallin, Susannah Townsend and Elena Sian Rayer during the Women's Bronze medal match against India. Picture: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Sarah Robertson of celebrates scoring Britain's second goal with Shona McCallin, Susannah Townsend and Elena Sian Rayer during the Women's Bronze medal match against India. Picture: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Sarah Robertson of celebrates scoring Britain's second goal with Shona McCallin, Susannah Townsend and Elena Sian Rayer during the Women's Bronze medal match against India. Picture: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

“There have been moments where there were seeds of doubt. Really experienced players retired after Rio, and we had to take on that role ourselves and that has been a big learning curve.

“We have created our own identity. This squad is very different, different characteristics, different playing style. It is difficult to compare.

“I think this bronze medal feels just as good because there have been so many challenges. I am very proud of both. I just can’t believe I am a double Olympic medallist.”

It was a second Olympic medal for Pearne-Webb, Maddie Hinch, Susannah Townsend, Giselle Ansley, Shona McCallin, and Lily Owsley and a third for Laura Unsworth.

Scottish hockey player Sarah Robertson in action for Great Britain during the Women's Bronze medal match against India. Britain won 4-3. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty ImagesScottish hockey player Sarah Robertson in action for Great Britain during the Women's Bronze medal match against India. Britain won 4-3. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Scottish hockey player Sarah Robertson in action for Great Britain during the Women's Bronze medal match against India. Britain won 4-3. Picture: Clive Mason/Getty Images

Great Britain recovered from a 5-1 defeat to the Dutch in the semi-finals to reach the podium, having beaten Spain on penalties in the quarterfinals.

Team GB deservedly hit the front early in the second quarter when Ellie Rayer drove deep into the circle and her ball across goal was turned in by India defender Deep Ekka.

India couldn’t deal with the speed of Britain’s forward surges and Robertson struck a fine second when her powerful reverse stick shot went in off the left post.

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The deficit was halved within seconds when Navneet ripped a drag flick past Maddie Hinch and Shona McCallin on defensive duty on the right-hand post.

And it was déjà-vu moments later as Navneet repeated the trick with her flick perfectly placed past Hinch.

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A chaotic spell of four goals in five second-quarter minutes was rounded off when Vandana Katariya poked home from close range, awarded after a referral ruled out a British foul in the build-up.

India had some temporary respite but it was level when Sarah Jones drove to the by-line before pulling the ball back for Hollie Pearne-Webb who fired home.

GB opened the fourth quarter with a succession of penalty corners, eventually moving back in front from Grace Balsdon’s drag flick through the keeper’s legs with India temporarily reduced to ten.

That would be the last of the scoring, with GB seeing out the final quarter to secure the bronze.

Unsworth said: “Out of all the cycles I’ve been part of this has been my most challenging and as a team it has been our most challenging.

“It probably is up there with the Rio gold medal.

“The things we’ve had to overcome as a team, people don’t know about but as a squad we’ve stuck together, we’ve been resilient, we fight and that was shown today.”

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