India women’s hockey team loses 0-2 against Australia

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team showed fight but went down 0-2 against Australia in the third game of its Australia tour at the Perth Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

Courtney Schonell (9’) opened the scoring for the host in the first quarter before Grace Stewart (52’) added a second in the final phase to seal the result.

Following two encounters with Australia A, this was India’s first clash against the Australian team.

Australia asked questions of India’s defence, winning an early penalty corner, but the scoreline remained unchanged. Australia eventually broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when Schonell found the back of the net to give her team the lead. The host threatened to double its lead with another penalty corner but could not secure its second goal of the quarter.

The second quarter saw India come out eager to show its intent. Two penalty corners came India’s way in quick succession, but it could not find the equaliser. Despite its growing impact on the game, India went into half-time break trailing by a goal.

The third quarter was another goalless affair. Both teams were unable to convert their chances, including a penalty corner apiece, setting up a crucial fourth quarter for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team.

In pursuit of a goal in the fourth quarter, India conceded for the second time in the night when Stewart slotted it into the net from open play at the 52nd-minute mark to make it 2-0 and seal the victory.

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team will be in action again on Saturday, May 3, when it takes on Australia at the Perth Hockey Stadium.