Indian women’s hockey team defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the penalty shootout in the bronze medal match at the ongoing Commonwealth games in Birmingham.
At the end of the 1st quarter, the score line remained 0-0 but Salima Tete put the Indian side in the lead after netting the match’s first goal a minute before the completion of the second quarter.
During the match India conceded a goal, however, it was challenged and turned down in the favour of the Indian women. New Zealand Women’s side put the spectacular game on display in the last quarter and equalized just a minute before the final whistle pushing their hopes for the podium finish into the penalty shootouts.
Indian women’s side netted 2 goals past the New Zealand goalie which was sufficient to secure the best out of the match. Whereas the match got its hero in the form of Savita Punia who put a great job on display by declining 4 out of 5 chances from the New Zealand team in the shootout.
It is Indian women’s first medal since 2006 at the commonwealth games when they lost in the final to settle for the silver. India faced Australia in the semi-final which ended up in a controversy when Savita Punia’s save against Australia again in the penalty shootout was turned down due to a clock error from the match officials. While New Zealand lost to England.