India women's hockey team were completely outplayed by Australia, who emerged victorious, with the score reading 6-1 on Wednesday. India, with this match, have played three games so far, but are yet to register a single win.
India did not enjoy a good start in this encounter, as Australia, who had suffered defeat in their last two matches, came out all guns blazing. The Aussies managed to take early lead in the fourth minute, with Kathryn Slattery finding back of the net. They deserved the goal after a bright start to the game, while India, as always, looked a tad slow in the initial few exchanges.
Despite two penalty corners for India in the first six minutes, they could not convert that into a goal. It was Australia, who looked dangerous with their offensive moves. They doubled their lead with a smashing penalty corner goal from Georgina Morgan in the ninth minute.
India showed some signs of encouragement moving the ball swiftly, and also testing the Australian defenders. Despite some fighting performance by the Indian women, they were not able to score their first goal, which could have spurred them on for a comeback.
India should thank goalkeeper Savita Punia for the 2-0 scoreline, as the goalkeeper made some brilliant saves to deny Australia further goal in the first half. Australia went into the break with a healthy 2-0 lead.
The game was more or less put to bed when Australia scored their third goal. Even Savita looked helpless as Jane Claxton scored a wonderful field goal in the 35th minute. It was turning out to be an embarrassing one for India, who conceded their fourth in the next minute as well.
The Australian players were very clinical in front of goal, and were breaking India's defence with utter ease, which was another problem for India. Australia, after a barrage of attacks, also earned a penalty stroke, which was converted by Jodie Kenny to score their fifth goal.
Despite such a 5-0 lead, Australia were not done, as Kenny scored her second of the match, thus increasing their lead to 6-0 in the 46th minute. India's Anuradha Devi scored a consolation goal in the final minute of the matc to make it 6-1.
Australia were easily a better team in the fixture, but this performance from the Aussies will send warning signs to other teams in the competition. They might have been below par in their first two matches, but Australia will be keen to use this win as confidence booster for tougher matches ahead.
