New Delhi: Indian men’s hockey team ended the losing streak at the FIH Pro League after blowing away Australia in a shoot-out after both the sides ended at 1-1 at the end of the regulation time. After the 1-1 result at the final whistle, India emerged as a superior side during the shoot-out upstaging the world number three 3-1.
It happened to be a very close battle between the two teams in the first three quarters of the game which ended without a goal being scored from both the ends but the win in their final match of the Hobart leg of the Pro League acted as a confidence booster for the Indian side. Meanwhile finally in the 49th minute, Australia took the lead through a penalty corner conversion by Jeremy Hayward.
India win exciting shoot-out
But the joy for the home side did not last long as Shilanand Lakra scored a fine field goal two minutes later in the 51st minute to draw level. After that, both the teams tried really hard to score the all-important winner but failed as the match went into the shoot-out, where the Indian side emerged victorious to take two points while Australia claimed one point.
In the exciting shoot-out, Lakra, Maninder Singh and Vishnukant Singh scored for India, while Australia’s lone goal was scored by Hayward as Indian custodian Mohith Shashikumar Honnenahalli produced a superb show under the post.
After a horrible Rourkela leg of the Pro League where India had lost all four matches, the Men in Blue had made a losing start in the Hobart leg. India lost 0-2 to Spain in the first leg match before going down 4-5 in shoot-out against Australia after a 2-2 draw.
The Indian team then went down 3-4 in a shootout against Spain in the return leg after a tense 1-1 draw on Tuesday. India are currently placed eighth in the nine-team competition with just four points from eight matches.
(With PTI inputs)