Tokyo:A "proud" Indian women's hockey team chief coach Sjoerd Marijne would not ask his players to hold back tears after a heart-breaking defeat in the Olympic bronze medal match but wants them to cherish the reality that they have inspired the country with their lion-hearted show.
The history-making Indian women team lost 3-4 to Great Britain in a hard-fought bronze play-off.
Nevertheless, it secured its best ever finish, ending the Games in fourth position.
The team had already created history and surpassed all expectations by entering the semifinals of the Olympics for the first time.
Read: Tokyo Olympics (Hockey): India miss Bronze by a sliver but win a billion hearts
"...first the emotion is about losing, yeah you want to win, but really is I feel proud. I'm proud of the girls, how they again showed their fight and skills," the Dutch said.
"And I said to the girls, 'Listen, I can't take away your tears. No words will help for that. We didn't win the medal, but I think we achieved something bigger, and it's inspiring a country and make the country proud.'
"...I think the world have seen another Indian team, and I'm really proud of that."