The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team faced another challenging match on their Australia Tour, losing 0-5 to the Australia U21 side in Canberra on Saturday. This second game at the National Hockey Centre came just a day after their narrow 2-3 defeat in the opener, leaving the young Indians eager to turn things around.
Australia wasted no time asserting their dominance. Makayla Jones fired in two quick field goals in the 10th and 11th minutes, putting India under early pressure and setting the tone for the home team’s aggressive play.
India’s defense stepped up in the second quarter, holding firm against Australia’s relentless attacks. The goalkeeper and backline worked together to block chances, while the forwards launched a few counter-attacks. But the Indians couldn’t find the net, heading into halftime down 0-2.
The second half brought more trouble for India. Sami Love added a third goal in the 38th minute with another field goal, stretching the lead to 3-0. India pushed back with speedy breaks, but Australia’s solid setup kept them scoreless.
In the final quarter, Australia put the game out of reach. Migaliya Howell scored in the 50th minute, and Jones completed her hat-trick just two minutes later in the 52nd, sealing the 5-0 win. Despite India’s gritty efforts against a physically tough opponent, the hosts proved sharper in front of goal.
With back-to-back losses, the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team now focuses on regrouping for their remaining matches. This tour serves as key preparation for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 in Santiago, Chile, this December. They face the Australia U21 team again on September 29 at the same venue, offering a chance to build momentum in women’s junior hockey.
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