The Indian junior women’s hockey team faced a tough challenge on Saturday, falling 0-5 to the Australia U-21 side in their second match of the ongoing Australia Tour. The game took place at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra, leaving the young Indians with back-to-back losses after a close 2-3 defeat in their opener on Friday.
Australia wasted no time asserting dominance, with Makayla Jones firing in two quick field goals in the 10th and 11th minutes. That early pressure put India on the defensive right away. The Indian squad, eager for a comeback, tightened their defense in the second quarter. Their goalkeeper and backline worked together to block Australia’s attacks and keep the score at 2-0 heading into halftime. India even launched a few counterattacks, but they couldn’t find the net.
Things stayed intense after the break. Australia kept pushing forward, and Sami Love added a third goal with a field goal in the 38th minute. India responded with speedy breaks of their own, but the hosts held firm.
In the final quarter, Australia pulled away for good. Migaliya Howell scored in the 50th minute, and Jones sealed her hat-trick just two minutes later in the 52nd, making it 5-0. Despite India’s solid efforts against a physically strong opponent, Australia’s sharp finishing proved decisive.
Now sitting at 0-2 in the tour, the Indian junior women’s hockey team looks to regroup and sharpen their game for upcoming matches. This tour serves as key preparation for the FIH Hockey Women Junior World Cup 2025, set for December in Santiago, Chile. India faces the same Australia U-21 team again on September 29 at the same venue, offering a chance to turn things around.
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