Women’s FIH Pro League 2023-24 hockey: India lose 3-0 to Australia

The Indian hockey team was handed its third loss on-the-trot in the Women’s FIH Pro League 2023-24, going down 3-0 to Australia at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. 

Stewart Grace (19’), Tatum Steward (23’) and Kaitlin Nobbs (55’) chipped in one goal each as the Hockeyroos recovered from their shock defeat to the People’s Republic of China to register their second victory.

India’s last victory against Australia came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where they scored a 1-0 win. 

After a disappointing start to the tournament with two successive defeats at the hands of China (2-1) and the Netherlands, India were expected to regroup for this encounter.

A charged-up India made a bold start to the game when they earned a penalty corner in the third minute. The ever-dependable Vandana Katariya almost put the hosts ahead when she picked up the ball in a melee and struck it towards the target. The ball, however, went out brushing the pad of Australia goalkeeper Zoe Newman.

For every Indian attack, Australia was ready with a counter. A similar counter almost earned the visitors their opening goal when Karri Somerville slapped a ball towards the target which hit the left post and went out of play.

In the sixth minute, Sangita Kumari stole the ball in the midfield, entered the striking circle, but fumbled only to be pulled up for a foot-fault.

The Aussies launched a couple of counter attacks, but the alert Indian backline staved off any attempt to enter the circle. On the other hand, India did create opportunities but failed to capitalise on them.

High press from Australia finally paid off in the 19th minute. A fumble in the midfield gave away the possession to Australia. An unmarked Kaitlin Nobbs received the ball outside the circle, entered the dee from the right and released it for Grace to sound the board and take Australia 1-0 up.

Three minutes later, Maddison Brooks came close to extending the lead. However, an aerial ball towards the goal was put over the bar by Indian goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam.

The Indian defence did give into the pressure, conceding a penalty corner in the 23rd minute. Tatum Stewart converted a set piece for Australia to extend the lead to 2-0.

India put pressure on Australia in the dying seconds of the first half, earning two penalty corners but could not convert them into goals.

A regrouped India were on the offensive right from the beginning of the third quarter. They kept putting pressure on the Australian defenders picking up three penalty corners in the process, but could not find the target.

Nobbs scored her 10th career goal in the 55th minute to put Australia 3-0 ahead and the match almost out of India’s reach.

In the 57th minute, an unmarked Navneet Kaur received the closest chance to reduce the lead. Her hit on the open goal was taken on the pads by goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram.

India will search for their first victory of the Women's FIH Pro League 2023-24 season when they play the United States next on Friday.