London: The Indian women’s hockey team fought valiantly after conceding three goals against Australia but eventually lost 2-3 in a FIH Pro League match here on Saturday.
Australia took a 3-0 lead through field goals from Courtney Schonell (16th minute), Lexie Pickering (26th), and penalty stroke conversion by Tatum Stewart (35th).
The Indians, however, mounted a comeback in the contest after the change of ends through two penalty corner goals from Deepika and Neha.
Starting strong, India took a 2-0 lead by the 35th minute through Abhishek’s brace.
But the Kookaburras came out all attacking after the change of ends, scoring through Nathan Ephraums , and two penalty corner conversions by Joel Rintala and Tom Craig to secure the win.
After suffering four close defeats against the Netherlands and Argentina in their first four matches of the European leg of Pro League, the Indians looked a motivated lot against Australia and dominated the share of exchanges in the first two quarters.
The Indians were without skipper and ace dragflicker Harmanpreet Singh as he has been rested due to a injury suffered in the last match against Argentina.
The Indians showed intent from the word go and took the lead in the eighth minute through Abhishek, who flicked from top of the circle after receiving a pass from Manpreet Singh.
In the 11th minute, Australia secured a penalty corner, but goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made a good save to deny the opposition.
Abhishek nearly put India two up with some sensational play in the opposition defensive area but his backhand flick just went inches wide of the goal.
In the 19th minute, Karkera made a fine save to deny Joel Rintala from close range.
India had another chance in the form of a penalty corner in the 22nd minute, but Jugraj Singh could not go past the first rusher in Tim Brand.
After the change of ends, India doubled the lead when Sukhjeet Singh disposed of an Australian player in front of their circle and passed it it on to Abhishek, who slapped a reverse hit into the goal past the opposition goalkeeper to score his second of the day.
Australia earned a penalty corner in the 37th minute, but Karkera made a fine save. Australia pulled a goal back when Tom Craig’s reverse hit was saved by Karker, but Ephraumus scored from the rebound.
India secured back-to-back penalty corners in the 48th minute but could to convert. The Australians pressed hard in the final 10 minutes, earning four penalty corners in quick succession, the last of which was converted by Rintala.
Just 42 seconds from the hooter, India conceded another penalty corner, and Craig deflected in Jeremy Hayward’s flick to hand Australia the win.
