Hockeyroos star Edwina Bone has battled through tears trying to come to terms with Australia’s heart-wrenching upset loss to India at the Tokyo Olympics.
Rated a strong chance to make the final and vie for gold medals, the Hockeyroos were stunned 1-0 by a gallant India, who as the world No.9-ranked team “played the game of their lives” to win the quarter-final.
OLYMPICS LIVE BLOG: UPDATES, LATEST NEWS | TOKYO GAMES EVENT CENTRE: SCHEDULE, RESULTS, MEDAL TALLY
An own goal from a deflection off the stick of Karri Somerville – after a shot from a penalty corner from India’s Gurjit Kaur – midway through the second quarter was ultimately the difference.
Heading into the knockout stages, world No.2 Australia hadn’t lost a single game and had only conceded one goal – to Spain – in five preliminary games while racking up 13 of their own.
It was understandable, then, that the team was shattered following the defeat.
“I’m just really proud of them,” said Bone in an interview soon after the fulltime whistle.
The defender then had to step away to compose herself with a few deep breaths.
“It’s just such a shame to end it this way.
“We’ve worked really hard. We’ve come together as a really united group under a really inspirational leader – (coach) Trinny (Powell) has shown us the way because she’s done it before. It’s just a shame that it’s over.”
While possession was fairly even with Australia owning 51 per cent of the ball, the Hockeyroos had a big advantage in penalty corners – nine to India’s one – and also shots on goal 14 to five.
India only scraped into the quarter-finals after winning two of their five pool matches.
“Totally gutted,” Hockeyroos coach Katrina Powell said.
“India are obviously a very good team; very skilful and very fast and ready for it today. I felt like we were ready to go, ready to play, it just wasn’t our day.”
Former Hockeyroos Georgia Parker and Anna Flanagan were feeling for the Aussies.
“I had to stop talking (in commentary) due to the tears welling up in my eyes… Huge credit to India today. They turned up, played the game of their life, and this is going to be huge for our sport. Sport’s highs and high, and nothing compares, but these lows – they hurt,” Parker also tweeted.
Powell had galvanised the squad after a turbulent time over the past few years.
Earlier this year following an independent review, the Hockeyroos’ culture was labelled “dysfunctional” which led to the resignation of coach Paul Gaudoin.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
