The Indian men’s hockey team’s wretched run in the European leg of the FIH Pro League continued as it endured a sixth defeat in a row, losing 2-3 to Australia, here on Sunday.
India has already lost matches to the Netherlands and Argentina. Sanjay (3rd minute) and Dilpreet Singh (36th) scored for India, while Tim Brand (4th), Blake Govers (5th) and Cooper Burns (18th) sounded the board for Australia.
India started on a positive note, dominating the early share of exchanges. Three minutes into the match, India took the lead through Sanjay who scored from a rebound from its first penalty corner.
But India’s joy was short-lived as Tim Brand equalised a minute later, beating goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak. A minute later, Australia took the lead when Blake Govers scored from top of the circle.
The Kookaburras completely dominated the proceedings thereafter, earning as many as four penalty corners, the last of which was converted by Cooper Burns in the 18th minute.
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In the 24th minute, Pathak made a good save to deny Davis Atkin. Australia had another penalty corner soon, but Pathak saved it. In the 27th minute, India secured back-to-back penalty corners but failed to utilise the chance. India bounced back after the change of ends when Dilpreet Singh scored in the 36th minute.
Thereafter Australia dominated the proceedings. The Kookaburras pressed hard on the Indian defence and earned as many as three penalty corners in the last 10 minutes but Pathak stood firm in the front of the goal to deny the opponents.
India will next play Belgium here on June 21.
