Australia scored a controlled 3-0 win over India in an FIH Pro League women’s match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
The Hockeyroos claimed their second-successive win in the mini tournament of the league here while handing the hosts their third defeat on the trot.
Grace Stewart (19′), Tatum Stewart (23′, pc) and Kaitlin Nobbs (55′) scored for Australia whose suffered a 0-1 loss to India in the quarterfinals of the last Olympics — a result that rocked Australian hockey and left the team with funding problems and the loss of a shirt sponsor.
India, however, were more in the game than the scoreline suggests.
They outdid the Aussies 5-1 on penalty corners and spurned a hatful of chances — expensive prodigality, given the solidity of their opponents midfield and defence.
The Aussies are third in the table with six points, a rung below China with nine and high flyers The Netherlands at the top with 21.
India started in whirlwind fashion by forcing a PC in the first minute and went close in open player minutes later when Lalriamsami shot wide from Vandana Katariya’s cross.
Chances fell to Grace Stewart at the other end but Savita Punia in goal was equal to one before the second, moments later, went wide.
Grace Stewart, however, drew first blood accepting Kaitlin Nobb’s pass to slot home and cap a fine team effort.
The Hockeyroos were 2-0 up when Tatum Stewart nutmegged Savita with a drag-flick from her team’s second PC but to India’s credit, their spirits didn’t flag.
The team, a Work in Progress, endeavored to reduce the margin but two more penalty corners went abegging as the first half drew to a close.
Midfield attrition marked most of the third quarter but India’s bid for goal failed as two more penalty corners came to nought.
Australia rubbed it in the fourth quarter despite enduring a yellow card when Tatum Stewart split the defence with a pass gleefully accepted by Nobbs who slotted the ball to the boards through Savita’s legs to virtually seal it.
The hosts tried gamely to get back into the contest but goalkeeper Batram padded away Navneet’s rasping essay and, seconds later, Vandana’s backhander from the former sailed over the bar.
India now play the USA on Friday (19.30 IST) after a lip-smacking duel between The Netherlands and Australia (17.30).