India vs Australia: The Indian men’s hockey team has faced a defeat. Team India started well in the FIH Pro League match but had to face defeat in the penalty shootout. Both the teams remained tied at 2-2 till the stipulated time. Australia made a brilliant comeback in the last quarter after falling behind by two goals and then defeated India 5-4 in the shootout. For India, Amit Rohidas scored in the 15th minute and Jugraj Singh gave the team the lead in the 43rd minute, while Australia’s Joel Rintala leveled the match by scoring 2 goals in the 47th and 56th minutes.
India’s fifth consecutive defeat
After losing the match against Australia, India has now lost five consecutive matches in the FIH Pro League this year. This also includes four matches of the home leg played in Rourkela. The team had to face a 0-2 defeat against Spain in its first match of the Hobart stage on Saturday.
India-Australia exciting match
In the beginning of the match, Australia tried to dominate the Indian players’ field by controlling the ball more but the Indian defense maintained its composure and came back and put pressure on Australia. During this, Australia’s goalkeeper Jed Snowden made some good saves. At the end of the first quarter, India got a penalty corner, taking full advantage of which Rohidas scored through a drag-flick to give the team a 1-0 lead.
Both teams played aggressively in the second quarter. Australia entered the Indian circle 10 times in the first half and earned two penalty corners, while India gave a befitting reply by entering the Indian circle nine times. The Indian team maintained its lead till half time. At the end of the third quarter, India doubled its lead with Jugraj’s powerful drag-flick at the penalty corner.
Australia’s befitting reply
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Rintala reduced the gap by scoring a goal from a penalty corner. After this, the Australian team, which was searching for equality, got another penalty corner, but Yashdeep Siwach made a crucial save on the goal line and gave relief to India. Four minutes before the final hooter, Rintala scored his second goal from a penalty corner to make the score 2-2. In search of victory, Australia continued to attack, but Indian goalkeeper Mohit performed brilliantly and made many excellent saves. After a 2-2 tie at the stipulated time, the match reached a shootout. Both teams hit the post in their first four attempts but Arjun Lalge’s shot at the last chance was blocked by Snowden, giving Australia a hard-fought victory in a thrilling match. India will now face Spain in its third match of the Hobart round on Tuesday.