Indian males’s hockey group suffers one other heartbreak as Australia rally to beat Harmanpreet Singh and Co

One other heartbreak for India as Australia bounced again from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 within the ongoing FIH Hockey Professional League 2024/25 in Antwerp on Saturday. Following 4 successive slim losses within the European leg, Indian males’s hockey group sans their captain Harmanpreet Singh had a dream begin in opposition to Australia till they floundered lead within the ultimate quarter, permitting their opponents to comeback. It was objectives by Nathan Ephraums (42’), Joel Rintala (56’) and Tom Craig (60’) that put Australia forward whereas Abhishek (8’, 35’) scored a double for India.

It was an entertaining opening quarter with India taking the lead as early as eighth minute of the sport. The preliminary jiffy noticed each groups commerce probabilities within the circles till an ideal go from the midfield by Manpreet Singh, who’s on 399 worldwide caps, to Abhishek positioned on the prime of the circle fetched India an important 1-0 lead.

Abhishek did properly to beat the defender to seek out the web. Solely two minute later, Australia threatened to equalise when James Collins received Australia’s first penalty nook with some intelligent work within the circle, discovering the Indian defender’s foot. However Suraj Karkera, has proven nice promise on this match, standing agency within the publish made an excellent cease along with his foot. He was saved busy within the following minutes as Australian assault raided the circle with a number of probabilities however the Mumbai lad was as much as the duty.

India was cautious within the second quarter. Did properly to defend the 1-0 lead and likewise got here near doubling it when skilled Mandeep Singh set-up Manpreet on the goal-mouth with a quick-fire cross go however Manpreet couldn’t fairly get the correct deflection.

Although Australia turned the tables on India within the third quarter pushing for that elusive first purpose, India doubled the lead within the thirty fifth minute – because of the helpful work of Sukhjeet Singh who made a intelligent help to Abhishek. Including a double to his identify on this match, Abhishek made no mistake in pumping it previous the Australian goalie Ashleigh Thomas. Australia ultimately did discover a chance to attain by means of Nathan Ephraums with a nice help by Tom Craig.

The ultimate quarter was nervy for Indian hockey followers with Australia mustering back-to-back PCs however Suraj Karkera was on prime of his recreation to maintain Australia at bay. With just a little over 5 minutes left for the ultimate hooter, Australia received one other PC and this time, they equalised with Joel Rintala’s conversion. They prolonged the lead within the sixtieth minute with one other PC well-struck by Tom Craig – handing India one other heartbreaking loss on the trot.