India holds Australia to 1-1 draw but lose hockey series 2-0
Deep Grace Ekka scores for first drawn game of series
The visiting Indian women’s hockey team ended its 3-Test series against the hosts Australia by salvaging a 1-1 in the third and last game at Adelaide on Saturday. The visiting team’s best showing came in the third game of its Australia tour which ended in 1-1 draw. The visitors came from behind to level the score as Deep Grace Ekka (42’) netted a goal for India after Maddison Brooks (25’) had put hosts in front. The result meant that Australia won the three-match series 2-0.
The series was planned to help India build its team by working on its weaknesses and sharpening its strength for the prestigious Asian Games later this year. The team will play a couple of more games in Adelaide against Australia before returning home next week.
India started the first quarter of the game on a positive note by keeping the possession and making some good passes. The visitors also displayed a pressing game to win the ball back when Australia had possession and also won two penalty corners. On the other hand, the hosts also tested India’s defence on multiple occasions and won a penalty corner as well, however, neither of the teams was able to capitalise on the chances that they got as the opening quarter ended goalless.
The second quarter witnessed India players show some terrific ball control and play an attacking game, however, it was Australia who took the lead as Maddison Brooks (25’) scored a field goal after she received a pass through a quickly taken free hit following which, Brooks, who was standing free at the far post, put the ball beyond India’s goalkeeper and Captain Savita. The hosts went into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead.
The third quarter began with India controlling the tempo of the game in its bid to find the equaliser and it paid off as defender Deep Grace Ekka (42’) converted a penalty corner to level the score. The visitors continued to test Australia’s defence as it was eyeing to take a lead, however, the third quarter didn’t see any more goals and it ended with the score tied at 1-1.
Australia came out all guns blazing in the final quarter but India’s defence line stood strong and denied the hosts from taking a lead. In the meantime, the visiting team’s attackers also made some good chances and came close to scoring on multiple occasions but couldn’t find the back of the net as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The last game saw individual achievements for skipper Savita who played her 250th international while Niki Pradhan completed her 150th game for the country.
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