Daijiworld Media Network - Perth
Perth, May 30: The India Women's National Field Hockey Team concluded their four-match friendly series against Australia Women's National Field Hockey Team with a hard-fought 2-3 loss in the final encounter on Saturday. Despite the setback, the visitors finished the series on level terms, securing an impressive 2-2 draw overall.
India made a bright start and took the lead within two minutes when Navneet Kaur successfully converted a penalty corner, putting the Australian defence under early pressure. The visitors extended their advantage in the second quarter through Deepika Soreng, who found the net in the 23rd minute to give India a commanding 2-0 lead heading into the halftime break.
Australia mounted a strong comeback after the interval. Abby Wilson reduced the deficit in the 42nd minute before Olivia Downes restored parity just two minutes later, shifting the momentum in favour of the hosts.
With the match seemingly headed for a draw, Courtney Schonell struck in the 58th minute to complete Australia's turnaround and secure a narrow victory in the final minutes of the contest.
Although India fell short in the closing game, the tour provided several encouraging signs for the team. After losing the opening fixture, the Indian side responded strongly by winning the next two matches, showcasing resilience, improved tactical execution, and attacking efficiency against a higher-ranked opponent.
One of the standout performances of the series came in the third match, where India registered a convincing 2-0 victory. Following a scoreless first half marked by disciplined defending from both sides, Sonam broke the deadlock in the 36th minute with a field goal. Lalremsiami added a second goal in the final quarter to seal the win and give India a 2-1 lead in the series at the time.
The visitors had also claimed the second match through a 4-2 shootout triumph after recovering from the opening-game defeat, underlining their ability to bounce back under pressure.
With the series ending evenly, India will take valuable confidence and experience from the Australian tour as they prepare for their next major assignment, the FIH Nations Cup in New Zealand, where they will aim to build on the momentum generated during these competitive outings.