New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS): India's women's hockey team won the bronze, beating Ireland 4-1 in the Four-Nation Tournament in Parana, Argentina.

Both the teams were locked 1-1 at half-time but India came back strongly in the second session to fire three goals. Jaspreet Kaur (penalty corner 7th min), Anuradha Thokchom (58th min), Vandana Katariya (68th min) and Ritu Rani (penalty corner 70th min) sounded the board for India while Aine Connery (7th min) scored for Ireland.

Ireland took an early lead in the seventh minute with the lone goal scored by Aine Connery after an Indian defensive lapse.

India restored parity when Jaspreet found the target from a set piece penalty corner in the 26th minute after an Irish defender obstructed Vandana Katariya in the striking circle.

India dominated the proceedings in the second half and exhibited flair and fluency as they mounted attacks with regular monotony.

The Indian forwards Poonam Rani, Vandana, Rani and Anuradha were well supported by midfielders Asunta Lakra, Kirandeep Kaur and Ritu as they engineered forays in the rival half.

Goalkeeper Yogita Bali and deep defenders Pinky Thokchom, Jaspreet and Preety Sunila Kiro stood tall and thwarted all moves by Irish attackers.

Anuradha put India ahead in the 58th minute when she beat Ireland custodian Emma Gray with a deflection from a right flank cross.

Vandana increased the lead to 3-1 in the 68th minute when she found the mark after a Ritu Rani-Asunta Lakra combined midfield manoeuver.

India rounded off the tally at the stroke of full time with Preety Sunila Kiro scoring from a penalty corner variation.

India had also won the bronze medals in the four-nation tournaments held at Buenos Aires ahead of this meet.