The Indian women’s hockey team put up a spirited fight but lost 2–3 to Australia in the fourth match of its tour at the Perth Hockey Stadium on Saturday.
Navneet Kaur (35’) and Lalremsiami (59’) were the scorers for India, while Australia edged a closely contested encounter with goals from Grace Stewart (2’), Jade Smith (36’), and Greta Hayes (42’).
Australia struck early in the first quarter, taking a 1–0 lead in just the second minute through Stewart. India pressed hard for an equaliser during the remainder of the quarter but couldn’t break through.
In the second quarter, India defended well, successfully repelling an early penalty corner and another set-piece threat late in the period, keeping the deficit to a single goal at half-time.
India fought back in the third quarter when Navneet converted a penalty corner in the 35th minute to make it 1–1. However, Australia restored its lead almost immediately, with Smith scoring a field goal in the 36th minute. Hayes then extended the home side’s lead in the 42nd minute after Australia won two more penalty corners.
India reduced the margin late in the final quarter when Lalremsiami found the net, but Australia held firm to secure the win.
