The Indian women’s hockey team suffered a humiliating 0-3 loss to second ranked Australia, completing a hat-trick of defeats in the FIH Hockey Pro League at Kalinga Stadium. It was another demoralizing defeat for the hosts who failed to score a single goal for the first time in the tournament. Women in Blue will have to work on their basics before they face 12th ranked USA in their next encounter on February 9, Friday.
Australia captain Grace Stewart (19th minute), Tatum Stewart (23rd), and Kaitlin Nobbs (55th) were the goalscorers for the winners on Wednesday night. India started the match positively and played an offensive game, forcing Australian women to concede a penalty corner in the second minute of the game, but an alert visiting goalkeeper Zoe Newman saved the penalty corner of her side.
In the following few minutes, both teams had numerous opportunities to score but were unable to find the net. Australia increased the pressure as the first quarter came to a close, but the Indian defense held firm. As India continued to look for a goal in the second quarter, Australia launched a counterattack led by Nobbs, who found herself open in the shooting circle and passed the ball to Stewart, who tapped it in for the game’s first goal.
Indian women attempted to create significant opportunities but was unable to execute them effectively in the striking circle. Soon after, Australia attempted a swift counterattack through Amy Lawton, but her reverse effort was blocked by Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam. Halfway through the second quarter, Australia secured a penalty corner, and Stewart’s drag-flick extended their lead to 2-0.
Indian women then earned two penalty corners to close the gap, however, they failed to capitalize on each of them. The Hockeyroos were content to sit back and absorb the pressure in the third quarter, as India failed to locate a weakness in their defense. India received a penalty corner opportunity in the final minute of the quarter, but Udita slammed the ball wide, keeping Australia ahead by two goals.
India pressed hard in the fourth quarter and were awarded a penalty corner two minutes into the last 15 minutes of the game, but Udita’s shot from a variation went wide of the post again. Moments later, Mumtaz Khan was awarded a penalty corner but the Indians once again failed to convert it. With five minutes left in the game, Nobbs rolled the ball through Savita’s leg to make it 3-0 and secured an impressive win for Australia.
