Currently on tour in Australia, the Indian women’s hockey team has been showcasing a spirited fight even though it failed to register any wins against the host’s senior team. It went down 0-2 against Australia in the third game at the Perth Hockey Stadium on Thursday where Courtney Schonell opened the scoring for the hosts in the first quarter, before Grace Stewart added a second in the final phase to seal the result. India has now set its sights on the final two games to be held on May 3rd and 4th before the tour ends.
With all eyes on the World Cup next year and the FIH Hockey Pro League in Europe later this year, the Indian women’s hockey team will do well to score a victory in Australia to help boost its confidence and test out its strategies. The 26-member squad and its chief coach Harendra Singh hope to fill the gaps and build on the team’s strengths, including attack and defence.
“The defeats do hurt us, especially when we have conceded soft goals in, but there is nothing that can replace or match up to the intensity of playing these matches,” said the coach on the occasion, adding, “The more games and game time the Indian Women’s Hockey Team gets the better it is for the players, especially the younger ones. This tour is of a lot of importance as facing top quality opposition is extremely crucial for the development of the squad.”
Australia asked questions about India’s defence on Thursday, winning an early penalty corner, but the scoreline remained unchanged. India put up a robust performance in the second quarter, but was followed by two penalty corners in quick succession while the third quarter was another goalless affair.
Follow us
