Tokyo, Aug 6 (Olympics news) She is proud of the effort but Indian women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal is hurting as well after coming within touching distance of a historic Olympic podium finish only to finish fourth ultimately.

The Indians, beating all expectations, entered the semifinals of the Games for the first time, and signed off with a fourth place finish after going down to Great Britain 3-4 in the bronze medal play-off here on Friday.

"We are feeling so disappointed because we were so close. And we were 2-0 down and then we equalised and we were 3-2 up. I don't know what to say, but yeah it hurts a lot because we couldn't win the bronze medal," she said after the heart-breaking loss.

"But I think everyone just gave their best, so I am proud of the team. Playing in the Olympic Games and finishing top four is not easy. We came a long way. I think now we were closer, but sometimes close is not good enough.

"But I'm still proud of the team, how throughout the tournament we worked so hard and played as a team together," Rani added.

The Indians played their hearts out and overcame a two-goal deficit to lead 3-2 at half time.

But Great Britain gave their everything in the second half and scored two goals to snatch the match from India's hands.

"Even though when we were 2-0 down we still stayed together and fought for the two goals," Rani said.

Rani hoped their performance in the Tokyo Games will inspire a generation back home.

"I would like to thank each and everyone back home because they supported us a lot and they believed in us that we can achieve something here. And still, I know even though we didn't win the bronze medal, they will back us up because we have inspired the country," she said.

Also read: Heartbreak for Indian women’s hockey team as Great Britain emerge victorious in a 7 Goal thriller

"And this is what we need from them, we need support from them." Dragflicker Gurjit Kaur, whose two goals were not enough to hand India a win on Friday, said luck was probably not on their side and it will be a tough loss to digest.

"It was a very tough loss but we put in a lot of effort. It was a tough loss, but every single player gave their 100 per cent.

"We have created history. We can't blame anyone. It was a team effort. We were simply not lucky today," she said.

News source: PTI