The Indian women’s hockey team concluded their tour Down Under with an exhilarating 2-1 victory over Australia ‘A’ in a closely contested match held in Adelaide. The win provided a positive end to the tour for the Indian team.
The game began with Australia ‘A’ displaying confidence and maintaining possession in the early stages. However, the Indian defense, led by Gurjit Kaur, remained vigilant and denied the opposition any entry into their circle.
India quickly earned three penalty corners, putting pressure on Australia’s ‘A’ defense. It was Navneet Kaur who broke the deadlock in the 10th minute, scoring a fantastic reverse hit goal to give India the lead.
In the second quarter, India continued to build momentum from the backline. Australia ‘A’ launched a quick counter-attack and managed to test the Indian goalkeeper, Savita, who made a crucial save.
Australia ‘A’ earned their first penalty corner of the match and Abigail Wilson capitalized on the opportunity in the 22nd minute, levelling the scoreline with a well-executed drag-flick. However, Deep Grace Ekka responded swiftly for India by converting a penalty corner with a superb drag flick of her own in the 25th minute, putting India back in the lead.
The third quarter witnessed Vandana Katariya initiating attacks from the left flank, earning India another penalty corner. Nevertheless, Australia ‘A’ defense successfully thwarted the danger, denying India an opportunity to extend their lead. India maintained their 2-1 advantage as the third quarter drew to a close, thanks to Neha Goyal’s excellent control of the midfield and her ability to create scoring opportunities for the Indian forwards.
At the beginning of the final quarter, Vandana continued to exert pressure on Australia ‘A’ with her skilful dribbling inside the circle. With 15 minutes remaining on the clock, both teams displayed a sense of urgency in their gameplay.
India earned a late penalty corner, providing them with a chance to increase their lead. However, the Australia ‘A’ defense displayed resilience and successfully defended the set-piece, keeping themselves in contention. In the closing minutes of the match, India intelligently maintained possession to prevent Australia ‘A’ from launching any significant attacks, ultimately securing a thrilling 2-1 victory.
The Indian women’s hockey team’s performance throughout the match showcased their determination and fighting spirit, culminating in a well-deserved win. This triumph served as a positive conclusion to their successful tour Down Under, providing them with valuable experience and confidence as they continue their preparations for future competitions. (Edited)
