Indian Women's Hockey team win historic bronze medal in Commonwealth Games 2022

Indian Women's hockey team won a historic bronze medal in the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Sunday by beating New Zealand 2-1 via shoot-out. After suffering a heartbreaking exit at the hands of Australia in the semifinal under controversial circumstances, the Indian eves defeated New Zealand to make amends. 

In a perfect culmination to its more than two-month journey on the road, the Indian women's hockey ended a long 16-year wait for a medal in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

It was a fitting retribution for India as it defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in regulation time to finish third. India had lost to Australia in the semifinal in the shoot-out after the Hockeyroos were asked to take the first shoot-out again after Indian goalkeeper Savita had saved it.

READ| Watch: Indian women's hockey team dancing celebrations after CWG 2022 bronze medal go viral

On Sunday, there was no such drama as Sonika and Navneet converted their penalty shoot-out attempts while Savita thwarted four attempts by the New Zealand attackers, sending the team into wild celebrations.

Earlier, Salima Tete had given India the lead just before the half-time and they looked on their way to victory as they attacked well.

However, New Zealand scored in the last 15 seconds off a penalty stroke that was awarded to them when an Indian defender kicked the ball off a desperate last-ditch attack by New Zealand. Olivia Merry converted the stroke to push the match into a shoot-out.

READ| Commonwealth Games 2022 medal tally: Where does India rank after winning 14 medals on Day 9?

Savita made three sensational saves in the shoot-out, while Sonika and Navneet Kaur struck past Kiwi goalkeeper Grace O'Hanlon as India pulled off a thrilling win. 

With agency inputs