IND-W 2-3 AUS-W Highlights, FIH Women’s Pro League 2024-25: India’s Late Fightback In Vain As Hockeyroos Secure Win

A very good afternoon to one and all tuning in to our live coverage of the first hockey match between India Women vs Australia Women. The match takes place at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre in London.

The action begins at 3:30 PM IST. Stay tuned for updates.

India Starting XI: Sharmila Devi, Thoudam Suman Devi, Savita (gk), Lalremsiami, Jyoti, Navneet Kaur, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete, Manisha Chauhan, Ishika Chaudhary

IND-W Bench: Jyoti Singh, Bichu Devi Kharibam (gk), Vaishani Vitthal Phalke, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Rana Sakshi, Beauty Dungdung, Deepika

Australia Starting XI: Claire Colwill (c), Alice Arnott, Greta Hayes, Hattie Shand, Courtney Schonell, Alana Kavanagh, Karri Somerville, Tatum Stewart, Mariah Williams, Zoe Newman (gk), Lexie Pickering

AUS-W Bench: Grace Young, Aleisha Power (gk), Maddison Smith, Kaitlin Nobbs, Jade Smith, Grace Stewart, Jesse Reid

India Women are underway against Australia in London! Stay tuned for play-by-play updates.

Meanwhile, the India men’s team lost 2-3 against Australia in the FIH Men’s Pro League match.

IND-W 0-0 AUS-W

5' Q1: India have started well under the sun, making their first circle penetration within the first five minutes, but no attacking threat on either goal so far. It’s a good contest in the middle of the part, with both teams looking to dominate possession early on.

IND 0-0 AUS

10' Q1: A lovely turn from Pickering earns Australia a PC, and Smith and Colwill try to pull off a training ground routine, but it goes out of play. The Indian goalkeeper is still unbothered in hte opening 10 minutes.

IND 0-0 AUS

15' Q1: A good opening quarter for both sides. Australia have had the majority of attacking moves, which will be good news for the Hockeyroos. The Indian side have been patient, and are looking to build up their play in the middle of the park.

They brought out a good double-save from Newman, although the goalkeeper would have expected to make those saves. The Indian goalkeeper, meanwhile, is yet to make a single save so far.

The next 15 minutes will clearly bring out more from both sides.

IND 0-0 AUS

16' Q2: A terrific goal from Courtney Schonell – her ninth goal for the Hockeyroos. It’s good play from Strewart, who passes it to Schonell, and she finds the bottom left corner with an accurate lob over Savita. Aussies take advantage of the slight gap in India’s defence, and make the visitors pay dearly.

IND 0-1 AUS

22' Q2: It looked inevitable for Australia. Pickering’s shot triggers a ping-pong in the circle, as both Stewart and Arnott attempt to poke it in, but it falls back to Pickering, and she makes no mistake this time, finding the back of the net.

However, it’s a long agonising wait as the referee checks for a foot, but eventually, the goal stands. It’s the first international goal for Lexie Pickering from open play.

IND 0-2 AUS

27' Q2: Jade Smith squared the ball in front of the face of the goal, but none of her teammates are there to poke it in. Australia are well and truly in control of the match with half-time approaching soon.

IND 0-2 AUS

It’s half-time in London, and the second quarter has been all Australia. The Hockeyroos scored twice in six minutes through Schonell and Pickering, and India haven’t gotten a single sniff at Australia’s goal.

A big half-time talk from Harendra Singh awaits.

IND 0-2 AUS

The second half starts in London, with Australia leading two-nil following two quick goals from Schonell and Pickering in the second quarter. India gets the pushback, but can they mount a comeback in the next thirty minutes?

IND 0-2 AUS

35' Q3: A penalty corner for Australia, and it’s terrific first running from Sunelita to keep the danger away from the goal. There’s a stick involved, so Australia get another go, and it brings out a save from Savita. A third PC is awarded, and Grace Young’s injection is accurate, and a PENALTY STROKE is awarded to Australia due to a foot involvement in the circle.

A referral is made, but there’s no reason to change the on-field umpire’s decision. Australia get another chance handed to them. Replays shot that Tatum Stewart’s shot directly hit Ishika on the line, and it’s adjudged to be a foot.

India make a change between the sticks, as Savita is replaced by Bichu Devi Kharibam.

IND 0-2 AUS

36' Q3: A fabulous penalty stroke from Tatum Stewart, going hard towards the left corner. Bichu Devi dived the right way, but can’t get anything on the ball. Australia go three up!

IND 0-3 AUS

44' Q3: Deepika gets a goal for India completely against the run of play. It comes from a penalty corner that India won with 68 seconds left in the quarter, and #55 made no mistake with her flick, finding the back of the net. India have renewed energy since the goal, which is a lifeline for the visitors.

IND 1-3 AUS

48' Q4: After a shot from Salima Tete hitting the side netting, India earn another PC early in the fourth quarter. It’s more of the same, this time the flick coming from Manisha. Another PC is given, but Australia refer the decision. The PC stays as there are not enough camera angles, and Australia retain their referral.

India stick to their routine, and another PC is awarded. Navneet gets a shot in their third time of asking, but the goalkeeper saves. Australia break with lethal speed, and India survive as there is a foul in the circle.

IND 1-3 AUS

52' Q4: Another PC for India, and it’s a fabulous goal for the visitors. Deepika hits a powerful dragflick, but it’s saved by goalkeeper Newman. Unfortunately for her, the rebound falls straight to Neha in the box, and she lobs it over and into the net from point blank range. The game is on!!

IND 2-3 AUS

58' Q4: Navneet’s direct running has won India another PC, with just about two minutes left on the clock. It’s a good injection, and Deepika flicks it towards the left corner, but it’s a decent save from Newman. Australia try to counter, but India defend well to deny Williams any shooting chance.

IND 2-3 AUS

It’s all over at the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre in London. Despite the incredible late push by India to level the scores, they are unable to find the third goal, and the Hockeyroos secure a narrow win. Commendable effort from the visitors, but it’s the Hockeyroos who get all the points today.

IND 2-3 AUS

That’s the end of our live coverage of this nerve-wrecking contest between India Women and Australia Women. It was a game of quarters, really. After a cagey opening 15 minutes, Australia dominated the next two quarters, but the last quarter belonged to India. However, it wasn’t meant to be for Harendra Singh’s side today!

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the match. You can continue to follow more sporting events today, starting with Ireland’s 2nd T20I against West Indies.