Indian women's hockey team goes down 3-5 in opening match on Australia tour

IANS April 26, 2025 159 views

The Indian women's hockey team put up a valiant effort in their opening match against Australia A in Perth, despite an early 4-0 deficit. Despite losing 3-5, the team demonstrated remarkable resilience by scoring three goals and keeping the match competitive. The players wore black armbands to mourn the victims of the Pahalgam attack, showing solidarity and respect. The team looks forward to their next match, hoping to learn from this experience and improve their performance.

"The team showcased remarkable fighting spirit in a challenging match" - Hockey Match Commentary
New Delhi, April 26: The Indian women’s hockey team fought valiantly but fell short in its opening game of the Australia tour, going down 3-5 to a clinical Australia 'A' side at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Perth on Saturday.

Key Points

1

India concedes early 4-0 lead but stages spirited comeback

2

Mahima Tete, Navneet Kaur, and Lalremsiami score goals

3

Team wore black armbands honoring Pahalgam attack victims

4

Match played at Perth Hockey Stadium

India found the back of the net through Mahima Tete (27’), Navneet Kaur (45’), and Lalremsiami (50’) while Neasa Flynn (3’), Olivia Downes (9’), Ruby Harris (11’), Tatum Stewart (21’), and Kendra Fitzpatrick (44’) scored for Australia 'A'.

The match began at a frenetic pace, with Australia 'A' asserting early control and breaking the deadlock through a well-constructed field goal by Neasa Flynn (3’). The home team continued to press hard, and in quick succession, Olivia Downes (9’) and Ruby Harris (11’) capitalised on defensive lapses to score two more field goals, ending the first quarter with a commanding 3-0 lead.

Australia 'A' carried the momentum into the second quarter, putting relentless pressure on the Indian defence. After earning back-to-back penalty corners, Tatum Stewart (21’) converted one, stretching their advantage to 4-0.

Despite the early onslaught, India showed resilience, and Mahima Tete (27’) pulled a goal back with a sharp field goal, injecting some energy into the Indian side as they headed into half-time trailing 1-4.

Australia 'A' upped their ante and were rewarded for their efforts as Kendra Fitzpatrick (44’) netted another goal for her side to make it 5-1. The Indian team launched a counterattack and their efforts bore fruit when vice-captain Navneet Kaur (45’) found the back of the net, narrowing the gap to 2-5.

In the final quarter, both teams continued to create scoring opportunities. India showcased their fighting spirit once again when Lalremsiami (50’) slotted home a fine field goal, keeping India’s hopes of a comeback alive. Despite some late pressure, India could not find the net again, and the match concluded with Australia A securing a 5-3 victory.

The Indian women’s hockey team wore black armbands during the match to mourn the innocent lives lost in the tragic Pahalgam attack on April 22. The team has decided to continue wearing black armbands for the remainder of the Australia Tour as a mark of respect and remembrance for the victims and their families.

The Indian women’s hockey team will aim to bounce back strongly when they face Australia A again in the second match of the tour on Sunday.

Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Tough loss but proud of our girls for fighting back after being down 4-0! That second half comeback attempt shows real character. Navneet and Lalremsiami were brilliant! 💪
R
Rahul S.
Our defense needs to tighten up in the opening quarters. Giving away 3 goals in first 11 minutes is concerning. But great spirit shown to make it competitive!
A
Ananya M.
Respect for wearing the black armbands ❤️ Sports brings people together in difficult times. The score doesn't reflect how close the match actually was!
S
Sanjay P.
Australia A is a quality side - this was always going to be tough. Good experience for our team before the Olympics. Hope they can adjust their strategy for tomorrow's match.
M
Meera T.
Mahima Tete's goal was class! That moment really shifted the momentum. We need more of that energy from the start next game. #HockeyIndia
V
Vikram R.
While the loss hurts, I appreciate the team's gesture with the black armbands. Some things are bigger than sports. Wishing them better luck in the next match.

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Tags:
Women's Hockey India Hockey Team Australia Tour International Hockey Perth Hockey Stadium
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