India claim vital win over Australia in a penalty shootout

The India Hockey men team produced a brilliant display to earn a bonus point in their matchday 2 of their double matches against Australia, as they edge out their opponents 3-1 via a penalty shootout after regular time, which ended in a 2-2 draw which was played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Both teams are tied in 10 points with goal difference separating them.

Australia beat India 4-3 on the opening day of the match on Friday 21st February. They spilled the first blood during the second quarter of the game as Trent Mitton’s powerful shot squeezed through the palms of Indian shots topper Krishan Pathak at the rear post. India, however, turned the game around in three minutes later with two penalty corners goals as Rupinder Singh and Harmanpreet Singh put India 2-1 ahead before heading towards the interval as the fourth quarter approached, Aran Zalewski pulled his team level.

The shootout began as India displayed a massive dominance as Harmanpreet Singh, Vivek Prasad, and Lalit Upadhyay, all converted their chances with the goalkeeper PR Sreejesh conceding just only once as they claim two points from possible three matches.

Australia will feel a little unlucky with chances of ten penalty corners left unconverted, one missed penalties, and two disallowed goals. However, India did perform well to earn its share of points.

Indian defender Harmanpreet Singh who won the man of the match award said after the post-match conference that they did an excellent job against their Australian counterparts.

Eddie Ockenden, who captained the Australian side, said it was a great experience being in the host nation, and they were lucky to play in a beautiful stadium, with a belief they can improve themselves better.

Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi