Fort Rourkela remained unconquered as India received 4-3 in opposition to Australia on shootouts after the groups have been tied 2-2 in regulation time within the closing Professional League match of the mini-series right here on Wednesday.
India now stays unbeaten on the Birsa Munda Worldwide Hockey Stadium in eight video games, beginning with its World Cup marketing campaign earlier this 12 months.
Regardless of lacking two early photographs within the shootout, the host got here again to take the sport into sudden loss of life courtesy one other spectacular efficiency by P.R. Sreejesh who made three saves.
A preventing Australian workforce stored the stress up all by the sport, specifically within the second half, however India managed to come back away with two factors for the win.
An early aim courtesy a rasping reverse hit by Vivek Sagar Prasad from the highest of circle, off a penalty nook rebound within the second minute handed a really perfect begin to India. However the early dominance didn’t translate right into a flurry of objectives as India missed a sequence of penalty corners within the subsequent couple of minutes.
With Manpreet Singh sitting out of the sport, participant roles have been shifted. Dilpreet Singh moved additional as much as his common place and Vivek, in his a hundredth sport, marshalled the central midfield together with Hardik Singh.Â
India was in management for the primary quarter however Australia progressively created areas, took possession and opened channels on both flank with passes alongside the sidelines. The possibilities began coming and solely a resolute Indian defence, spectacular goalkeeping and the submit stored Australia at bay.
Submit the half-time break, the sideline passes have been blended with lengthy aerials to bypass the opponent and enter the Indian circle extra typically. A kind of noticed Pawan tripping Nathan Ephraums on the backline to concede a stroke, and a aim.
A superb Sukhjeet flick deflecting off Eddie Ockenden’s stick put India forward for the second time. Australia threw all the things upfront however might solely handle a draw earlier than faltering within the shootout.
India stays on prime of the standings with 19 factors in eight video games whereas Australia is sixth with eight factors in as many matches. Harmanpreet Singh leads the highest scorers’ listing, with 11 objectives, whereas Selvam Karthi and Sukhjeet Singh being the opposite Indians within the top-five.
India’s subsequent Professional League sport is now scheduled on Might 26, in opposition to Belgium in London.
