The Indian women's hockey team arrived home on Friday after clinching a bronze medal at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
The team was given a grand welcome upon its arrival in New Delhi. Fans had gathered at the Indira Gandhi International Airport with flowers and also beat drums.
The India team defeated Japan 2-1 to win the medal.
In a hard fought battle, the Indians took an early lead after a successful conversion of a penalty corner by Jaspreet Kaur in the 23rd minute of the game.
"We played a good match, it was a draw 1-1. We could not hold the match in the last one minute. You can say it is lack of experience because we all are young players. I know we were expected to bring gold, we could not do that. We will work on our mistakes now so that we can perform better next time," said a player.
Team's coach Neil Hawgood also congratulated the players on the medal finish.
"Yes, I think this is the second time we have won a medal in the Asian Games. So to actually have that break since 2006, we actually start there with the bronze, I think we did better than that. I think the girls also played better than that, it's all a good start for the future," said Hawgood.
Indian women's hockey team had earlier won bronze medal at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha where they defeated South Korea 1-0.
India now has a total of 57 medals, which includes 11 gold, nine silver and 37 bronze.
India's position is ninth in the overall medals tally at the Asiad.
