The Indian women’s hockey group began its tour of Australia on a disappointing observe, shedding 2-4 in opposition to the hosts in the first Test of the three-match sequence on the Mate Stadium right here on Thursday.
After a barren first quarter, World No. 3 Australia scored a few targets inside a span of six minutes via strikes from debutant Aisling Utri (twenty first minute) and Maddy Fitzpatrick (twenty seventh).
The Hockeyroos scored two extra fast targets in the third quarter which got here from the sticks of Alice Arnott (thirty second) and Courtney Schonell (thirty fifth).
World No. 8 India’s purpose scorers had been Sangita Kumari (twenty ninth) and Sharmila Devi (fortieth).
The second match of the sequence shall be performed on the identical venue on Saturday. India may also play two matches in opposition to Australia ‘A’ through the tour, which kick-started their preparation for the Hanzgou Asian Games.
The house group began on an attacking observe, incomes back-to-back penalty corners early on however on each events, India skipper and goalkeeper Savita got here to the guests’ rescue.
India too earned a penalty nook quickly however wasted the possibility due to poor injection.
The vacationers bought one other set piece minutes later however the drag-flick went huge because the first quarter ended goalless.
Australia began the second quarter in the identical tempo and created two vibrant probabilities in fast time however on each event failed to breach Savita.
But Savita’s citadel was lastly breached in the twenty first minute when Utri’s excellent deflection from a cross beat the Indian custodian.
Australia stored up the tempo and had been equally aided by India’s poor show on the defence. The hosts doubled their lead six minutes later when Fitzpatrick transformed a penalty nook.
However a minute from half-time, India pulled a purpose again via Sangita, who discovered herself on the proper place to deflect in Nikki Pradhan’s hit from outdoors the circle.
After the change of ends, it took Australia simply two minutes to restore their two purpose lead when one other debutant Alice deflected skipper Jane Claxton’s move into the purpose.
It was one-way visitors firstly of the third quarter as three minutes later, the hosts prolonged their lead when Schonell discovered the again of the Indian web with a reverse hit.
Sharmila diminished the margin to 2-4 for India 5 minutes later deflected in a penalty nook strive.
India changed Savita with younger Bicchu Devi in the purpose in the ultimate quarter and the teen made a double save in the 54th minute to the guests alive.
Soon India bought a golden alternative to cut back the deficit in the shape a penalty nook however Australia goalkeeper Newman Zoe made an excellent save as Navneet Kaur missed from the spot.
