New Delhi: The Indian women’s hockey team put up a strong fight against Australia in its third match of the Australian tour but lost 0-2 at the Hockey Stadium. In the first quarter, Courtney Shonell (9 minutes) started the scoring for the host team, while in the final stage, Grace Stuart (52 minutes) sealed the result by scoring the second goal. After playing two matches with Australia A, this was India’s first match against the Australian team.
Australia raised questions on India’s defence, initially won a penalty corner, but the scoreline remained the same. Australia finally broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when Courtney Schonelle gave her team the lead with a goal. The host team tried to double its lead from the second penalty corner but could not score the second goal of the quarter. In the second quarter, India seemed eager to show its intentions. India got two consecutive penalty corners but could not score the equaliser. However, despite their increasing influence on the game, India were one goal behind at the half-time break.
The third quarter also remained goalless. Both teams failed to convert chances, including penalty corners, into goals, making the fourth quarter crucial for the Indian women’s hockey team. Trying to score in the fourth quarter, India conceded a goal for the second time in the night, then Grace Steward scored from open play in the 52nd minute to put the team ahead 2-0 and seal their victory. India had lost against Australia ‘A’ in the first two matches and will once again face Australia at the Perth Hockey Stadium on Saturday, where they will be looking for their first win of the tour.
Reflecting on India’s performance so far on the tour, head coach Harendra Singh said, “We lost a few soft goals in the two matches which were disappointing, but apart from that, we have been very competitive. This is a Test series, so it is not about winning or losing, it is about the experience.” He said, “Catalak players are those who have come out of the country to play for the first time. I am giving the youth an opportunity to play so that they are prepared to become the next generation.”
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