The Indian women’s hockey team on Sunday created history as they won the bronze medal at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games. The Women in Blue beat New Zealand 2-1 in a penalty shootout to win a medal at CWG after 16 years. After the horrors of the semifinal where India lost to Australia in a penalty shootout, the Savita Punia-led team was once again in a similar situation.
After 60 minutes of a grueling battle, both teams finished with a goal each and hence had to play the penalty shootout. New Zealand took the first shot and Megan Hull successfully went past Savita Punia to take a 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, India could not score in their first attempt and were trailing 0-1. However, Sonika and Navneet scored for India in the next two attempts while an agile Savita Punia denied Rose Tynan, Katie Doar, and Olivia Shanon goals.
As soon as New Zealand missed a chance to score a goal in their fifth attempt, the Indian players and coach were on their feet jumping and shouting. While an emotional Schopman hugged one of the players, the other got in a huddle and wildly celebrated the win. Savita Punia was also seen first pumping after she saved the goal.
After the win, a video of the players dancing to ‘Sabse Aage Honge Hindustani’ also went viral. The girls were seen mouthing the lyrics and celebrating their victory. A second video showed the players dancing to cricketer Dwayne Bravo’s famous song ‘Champion’.
Watch the videos here:
In the regulation time, India got the lead through Salima Tete in the 29th minute who scored off a rebound with a reverse hit after Navneet Kaur's initial shot was saved by the opposition goalie. However, India conceded a penalty corner with less than 30 seconds to go for the final hooter, as the match went into a shootout after Olivia Merry's equaliser.