Antwerp (Belgium), June 28 (IANS) After hammering Poland 3-1 in the last game the Indian women’s hockey team went down 2-4 against Australia in the ultimate game of the pool phase at the ongoing Hockey World League Semi Final.
Australian forward Jodie Kenny scored all four goals in the match to seal the victory for her side here on Saturday. Vandana Katariya and Poonam Rani got onto the scoresheet for the Indians.
In a hard-fought match between the two teams, Australia took an early lead in the second minute from a penalty corner conversion when the ball rebounded off the back of the Indian defender’s foot and swiftly hit the goal post through the brilliant efforts of Kenny.
The Indians were quick to respond as three minutes later Vandana Katariya skillfully placed the ball and smashed the ball hard into the box through a clear deflection to equalise.
However, the equaliser was short-lived as Australia’s lead was again restored when Kenny converted a penalty corner in the sixth minute to put her team into lead again before going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, both teams failed to score, helping Australia to go into the half-time break with a 2-1 lead.
In the third quarter, India were back on level terms again after converting a penalty corner in the 33rd minute, which was executed successfully by Poonam Rani who dexterously struck the goal to level the scores at 2-2.
Australia responded quickly through Kenny again. She surged ahead and scored the third goal for her team in the 33rd minute taking the score to 3-2.
Just a minute before the third quarter ended, Kenny once again slotted the ball home, scoring her fourth of the evening through a penalty stroke and sealed the fate of the match for Australia.
