Tokyo 2020 Preview: GB v India (W) - Bronze Medal Match

Great Britain’s women will be looking to bring home a medal when they contest the bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday.

They’ll face a tricky test against an impressive India side for what looks set to be an enthralling conclusion to their Olympic campaign.

When is the match being played?

The sides meet on Friday 6 August at 02:30 BST.

How can I follow the game?

The game will be streamed on Discovery+ and potentially shown on BBC iPlayer/Red Button as well – we will know more information closer to pushback. You can also keep up to date with live text updates on our dedicated Match Centre by clicking here. 

How have the teams fared at Tokyo 2020 so far?

Though both sides will have been bitterly disappointed to have tasted defeat in the semi-finals, they will be relishing the opportunity to take away a medal on Friday.

India didn’t have the best start to the competition and began with back-to-back losses. They did enough to progress in Pool A, finishing with six points having defeated South Africa and Ireland, suffering defeat in their three other matches to finish fourth.

Despite seeing mixed results in Pool A, India came to life in the knockout stages and have been a force to be reckoned with. The team stunned Australia, a team fancied to go all the way having won all five previous matches and convincingly topped Pool B, with a battling 1-0 victory in the quarter-finals.

Another resilient performance saw India earn plaudits after going toe-to-toe with the powerhouse that is Argentina in the semi-finals and push the 2012 silver medallists all the way in a narrow 2-1 defeat.

Great Britain’s women progressed through to the knockout stages after finishing third in Pool A with nine points, concluding the group stage with three wins and two defeats to their name.

There would be a dramatic finale to GB’s quarter-final against Spain. The teams couldn’t be separated at full-time with the scores locked at 2-2, but four superb saves from Maddie Hinch, alongside crucial goals from Hannah Martin and Sarah Jones, would give GB a 2-0 shootout victory.

It wasn’t to be for GB come the semi-final as the team slumped to a 5-1 defeat to the reigning world champions, The Netherlands, to book a tie against India in the bronze medal match.

How do the teams match up in their Olympic history?

The two teams have already met at the Tokyo Olympics having both been drawn together in Pool A. On this occasion, Great Britain taking a 4-1 victory as goals from Lily Owsley, Grace Balsdon, and two from Hannah Martin gave Mark Hager’s side the win.

There had only ever been one Olympic meeting between these two sides prior to Tokyo 2020, which came during Rio 2016. Great Britain came out on top that day, Giselle Ansley, Nic White, and Alex Danson-Bennett scoring the goals in a 3-0 victory during the Pool stage.

Thank you to The Hockey Museum for their help in sourcing these stats.