Seventeen minutes of absolute brilliance and assertive management, wedged between total superiority and nervous moments, noticed India register its second win in as many video games of the FIH Professional League right here on Sunday. It nudged previous Australia 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller that consigned the opponent to its second straight defeat. Based on FIH information, India final beat Australia in a serious competitors in 1996 within the Champions Trophy.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh’s hat-trick set the tone for the Indians although the hosts trailed by a objective scored by Joshua Beltz within the third minute. The Australians lastly confirmed glimpses of previous, taking cost of the assault and being much more assured of their forays. Beltz drew first blood off a counter, the fixed urgent piling on the stress for the Indian defence.
The kids within the Indian aspect appeared shaky, attempting to return to phrases with the speedy opponents and taking time to calm down. India earned 4 consecutive penalty corners however couldn’t make them depend. Nevertheless, Harmanpreet’s low flick to the left pulled the workforce stage and steadied nerves. A minute later, Abhishek was tripped, one other PC earned and one other scored. Identical to that, the momentum modified on the finish of the primary quarter and the following quarter-hour had been pure adrenaline for the 20,000 followers within the stands.
A push on Vishnukant Singh led to Jugraj Singh changing the resultant penalty stroke three minutes on resumption. Selvam Karthi’s dodge previous Jake Harvie and reverse hit into the online from the highest of circle within the twenty sixth minute was one for the ages. At half-time, India was forward 4-1. The Aussies had no thought what hit them, however regrouped after the break.
The guests got here again stronger, pushing onerous, punishing India for taking the stress off the ball. Australia additionally overcame its tentativeness, opened up area throughout the width of the turf, constructed stress and slowly superior.
The Indian defence, sturdy until then, turned inconsistent though goalkeeper Pawan Malik once more got here up with a number of stellar saves to maintain the host in entrance. Lack of self-discipline appeared to creep in once more and Australia clawed again, objective by objective. At 4-3, with a shootout looming, India picked up tempo rapidly, earned a penalty nook and Harmanpreet obtained his third.
A determined Australia threw every little thing, took off the goalkeeper and camped within the Indian half however might get solely one of many two objectives it wanted to stretch the sport. It wasn’t to be.
RESULT: India 5 (Harmanpreet 14, 15 & 56, Jugraj 18, Karthi 26) bt Australia 4 (Beltz 3, Willott 43, Staines 53, Zelewski 57).
