India suffered the first defeat of their Australia – New Zealand tour when they were beaten 5-3 by the Australian Development squad at the State Hockey Centre at Brisbane late Tuesday night.
The hosts who led 3-1 at half time profited due to a lacklustre Indian showing both in attack and defence.
The Aussies scored through Jason Wilson (10th min), Nick Budgeon (22nd min), Joel Carrol (27th min), Liam de Young (52nd min) and Mark Patterson (66th min)
The Indian marksmen were Sandeep Singh (16th), VR Raghunath (37th) and Tushar Khandker (64th min).
The match had a delayed start due to rain and was played under constant drizzle.
Australia went up in the 10th minute when Jonathon Charlesworth intercepted a loose pass from Indian midfielder Prabodh Tirkey to set up striker Jason Wilson who shot past goalkeeper Baljit Singh.
India leveled the score six minutes later when Ignace Tirkey stole the ball from the rival skipper Liam de Young and sent a relay pass to Tushar Khandker through armyman SV Sunil. Khandker’s shot at goal was stopped by a backstick and the resultant penalty stroke was converted by Sandeep Singh.
Australia went ahead again after getting a penalty corner because of an erroneous clearance by Vikram Pillay. Budgeon flicked low to Baljit’s right.
India muffed two opportunities to equalise shortly after when Sunil and Shivendra Singh fumbled inside the circle and then Khandker shot wide.
Australia consolidated their lead in the 27th minute after conceding a soft penalty corner to Brent Livermore. Defender Joel Carrol made no mistake from the set piece.
A heavy downpour at the break again delayed the second half start, but India began aggressively and reduced the margin from a penalty corner as Raghunath flicked past George Bazeley in the 37th minute.
However Australia were again back with the two goal cushion when the overlapping de Young found the mark in the 52nd minute.
Tushar Khandker raised the Indian hopes when he was on target in the 64th minute to narrow the gap.
However the hosts soon shattered this thought with Mark Patterson providing the finishing touch two minutes later to give Australia a 5-3 victory.
India will play their last match on the Australian leg here on Wednesday when they will clash again with the Aussie development team coached by Ric Charlesworth.
IHF Ad Hoc Committee Media Release