Hockey: The Indian Under-18 women’s hockey team defeated Australia 4-1 in the fourth and final match of the series at the Uddhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Center on Wednesday. Australia took the lead at the beginning of the first quarter with a goal by Aurora Kovacevich (8′). The Indian team responded quickly and captain Sweety Kujur (13′) scored the first goal to equalize the team before the end of the opening quarter.
India’s Diya (25′) scored a goal in the second quarter. With this goal, the Indian team remained ahead 2-1 till halftime. The Indian team maintained control in the second half and increased its lead to 3-1 in the third quarter with a goal by Priyanka Minz (44′). Nausheen Naz (50′) scored another goal in the last quarter and sealed the victory by taking India’s lead to 4-1.
This victory was very important for the Indian team. After this victory, the confidence of the Indian team will increase for the Under-18 Asia Cup starting in Japan later this month. However, Australia won 1-3 in this 4-match series. India had to face defeat by 3-4 in the first match of the series. In the second match, the Indian team had to face defeat by 1-4. In the third match, the Indian team was defeated by Australia 1-2.
The Indian team certainly had to face defeat in the first three matches, but the team displayed strong play and kept the Australian team in trouble during the matches. The first and third matches were very tough. In the fourth match, the Indian team completely defeated Australia and ended the series with a bang by winning the match 4-1.