Indian women’s hockey team lost 2-3 to Australia A

The Indian women’s hockey team suffered a 3-2 defeat against Australia A in the fourth match of their ongoing tour here on Thursday.

Salima Tete (40) and Sangeeta Kumari (54) scored a goal each for India while Alice Arnott (18) and Ruby Harris (20, 35) put second-string Australia 3-0 ahead.

India dominated Australia A in the first quarter with heavy pressure, earning a penalty corner in the 10th minute but were unable to convert. The hosts then won a couple of penalty corners, but India’s defense prevented them from taking the lead and the first quarter ended goalless.

India focused on retaining possession in the second quarter, but Australia A took the lead when Ellyse Arnott (18) scored a field goal. Ruby Harris (20) took advantage of a defensive error and easily slotted the ball past India’s goal to double the hosts’ lead moments later.

Trailing by two goals, India began to play aggressively and even made some good attacks, but could not score as Australia A led 2–0 at the half-time break.

Australia A extended their lead early in the third quarter when Ruby Harris (35) scored her second goal of the game to put the hosts 3–0 ahead.

However, minutes later, Salima Tete (40) scored the first goal of the match with a superb shot from inside the D. There were no more goals in the third quarter and Australia A led 3–1.

In their attempt to claw their way back into the game, India came out full force in the fourth quarter and won two penalty corners but could not convert them.

However, the visitors kept testing the home team’s defense and it paid off in the end when Sangeeta Kumari (54) scored a goal in the dying minutes of the match to give hope of a draw.

But Australia A managed to prevent India from scoring another goal and the match ended 3–2 in favor of the hosts.

The Indian women’s hockey team will take on Australia A on Saturday (May 27) in their last match of the tour.