2024-07-20 04:06:50
New Delhi: The disappointing performance of the Indian men’s hockey team continues on the important tour of Australia. It had to face a 1-3 defeat in the fourth test match of the five-match series. With this victory, Australia increased its lead in the series to 4-0. The result of the match was not in favor of the Indians but the level of performance of the team showed a lot of improvement. However, the host team proved better than India in every aspect. All four goals came from penalty corners in the match which started 40 minutes late due to lightning.
India took the lead in the 12th minute through skipper Harmanpreet Singh but goals from Jeremy Hayward (19th, 47th) and Jack Welch (54th) gave Australia their fourth consecutive win in the series. India had lost the opening Test 1-5, while the second and third Tests were lost 2-4 and 1-2 respectively. The opening quarter of the match was very competitive with both teams creating several scoring chances against each other. Mandeep Singh created a chance for India in the very first minute of the match. His strike from near the circle off Harmanpreet Singh’s pass was saved by the Australian goalkeeper.
Australia showed amazing performance in penalty shootout
Australia counter-attacked and got two consecutive penalty corners in the second minute but both their attempts were saved by the brilliant saves of experienced Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. The Indian players used the midfield smartly in this match to create scoring opportunities. India got their first penalty corner in the 10th minute but Jugraj Singh failed to convert the opportunity. A minute later, Australia got their third and fourth penalty corners but the Indians defended strongly.
India took the lead in the 12th minute with a goal from Harmanpreet. The Indian captain scored on the team’s second penalty corner with a powerful flick from the goalkeeper’s left. After trailing by one goal, Australia made a strong comeback in the second quarter. In the 19th minute of the match, Hayward gave the team the lead on the fifth penalty corner. Soon after this, India had a chance to take the lead but Rajkumar Pal’s reverse hit hit the goalpost and went away. Australia got the sixth penalty corner shortly after this but reserve goalkeeper Suraj Karkera made a brilliant save.
The initial match was a draw
The match was even in the first half but after the interval Australia started dominating the match. India also gave a befitting reply to Australia in the third quarter. In the last quarter Australia got two consecutive penalty corners out of which Hayward converted the second attempt to give the team the lead. Karkera, who was included in the team in place of Krishna Bahadur, failed to stop Hayward’s fast attack.
After gaining the lead, Australia started playing more aggressively. During this, the team got three more penalty corners in the next six minutes. Welch scored a goal in the 54th minute and increased Australia’s lead to 3-1. India also got three penalty corners in the last four minutes but the team wasted all the chances. The last test of the series will be played on Saturday.