Times of India: India A women’s team loses, ends 9th in Australian Hockey League

PERTH: The India A women’s team completed its Australian Hockey League campaign with a 0-2 loss to Australian Capital Territory in Pool D, signing off ninth in the event on Saturday.

Two goals from Jessica Smith (18th, 53rd minute) were enough for the Australian Capital Territory to register the win.

India got off to a good start in the first quarter as they produced some fine attacking play which saw them win two penalty quarters.

However, the visitors were unable to convert either of them, allowing the Australian Capital Territory to gain control of the match.

The second quarter saw both the teams enjoying equal possession but the difference was the shots taken at goal. The Australian Capital Territory dominated as they took more shots at India’s goal.

They took the lead through a well-crafted team-move in the 18th minute which was finished by Jessica Smith.

Both the teams were equally dominant going forward in the third quarter as they earned two penalty corners each, but neither could convert.

India had to convert their opportunities in the fourth quarter if they were to make a comeback. However, that was not to be the case as their penalty corner was saved by ACT’s Goalkeeper Renee Hunter.

The Australians then made the most of their attacking flair as Jessica Smith scored her second of the game in the 53rd minute to make it 2-0.

India tried to retaliate in the dying stages of the game, but they could not produce any shots on target against a resolute Australian Capital Territory defence as the match ended 2-0 in the latter’s favour.