~ Objectives from Deepika (44′) and Neha (52′) ignited a spirited fightback from India ~
London, June 14 2025: The Indian Ladies’s Hockey Staff suffered a slender 2–3 defeat to Australia of their FIH Hockey Professional League 2024/25 (Ladies) match on the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre on Saturday. After going three objectives down, India fought again by objectives from Deepika (44′) and Neha (52′), however the Australians held their nerve in a fierce closing quarter to safe the win. Courtney Schonell (16′), Lexie Pickering (27′) and Tatum Stewart (35′) registered objectives for Australia. The match additionally marked a private milestone for midfielder Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, who accomplished her fiftieth look for India.
There was little to separate the 2 sides within the opening quarter, with each groups exhibiting intent and valuing possession. India adopted a affected person method however had been fast to use strain on the Australian defence. Australia earned a penalty nook within the tenth minute, however India held agency to disclaim them. India’s finest likelihood got here late within the quarter, when a swift attacking transfer compelled Australian goalkeeper Zoe Newman into a pointy double save.
As early as a minute into the second quarter, Courtney Schonell was on the finish of a pointy cross from Grace Stewart. Schonell completed it with precision to provide Australia the lead. Australia’s excessive press meant India misplaced the ball in key pockets, Within the twenty seventh minute, a turnover from Navneet led to scrappy moments of play and a sequence of Australian pictures on objective. Savita’s reflexes held up towards two consecutive pictures however on the second rebound, Lexi Pickering slotted it previous the Indian Goalkeeper to double Australia’s lead. India had been unable to create probabilities on objective earlier than proceedings broke for half-time.
Momentum stayed with Australia as 5 minutes into the third quarter, Australia earned one other penalty nook as their relentless strain examined the Indian defence. The preliminary try was bravely defended by Sunelita Toppo.Nevertheless, the sequence led to a different penalty nook, which developed to a penalty stroke. Tatum Stewart stepped up and drilled it previous goalkeeper Bichu Devi, extending Australia’s result in 3–0.
India discovered a lot much-needed respite after they received a penalty nook with 68 seconds left within the quarter. Deepika was on the finish of a crisp injection and flicked it in with precision to scale back the deficit to 1-3.
India got here out with all weapons blazing within the fourth quarter, spurred by their objective. The Indian assault received three consecutive penalty corners within the forty sixth minute, however the scores had been unchanged. India now performed with a robust sense of urgency and put Australia below immense strain. Australia buckled within the 52nd minute after they conceded one other penalty scorer. Deepika’s low pushed shot was nicely defended, however Neha pounced on the ball within the ensuing chaos and buried it with finesse at shut vary to make it 2-3.
India seemed to threaten with a sequence of fast strikes, however the equaliser eluded them. Within the dying embers of the match, silky stick work from Navneet helped her glide into the circle earlier than she was introduced down for one more penalty nook. Nevertheless, Australia retained the result in safe the victory.
Previous to the beginning of the match, each groups noticed a minute’s silence in reminiscence of those that misplaced their lives within the current plane tragedy in Ahmedabad.
All of the FIH Professional League 2024-25 matches can be streamed reside on Jio Hotstar and broadcast on Star Sports activities Choose.
