Pakuranga: India went down fighting 2-5 to Australia in a second leg match of the Women Four Nation Hockey Tournament at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium in Pakuranga, New Zealand today.

The goal scorers for Australia were Jodie Schulz(Penalty corners 7th and 28th minute), Fiona Boyce(12th minute), Ashleigh Nelson(51st minute) and Georgia Nanscawen(60th minute), while Rani (13th minute) and Poonam Rani(Penalty Corner 63rd minute) were on target for India.
Australia took the lead in the 2th minute through a penalty corner direct flick by Jodie Schulz and nine minutes later Boyce made it 2-0. However India showed great commitment and reduced the margin in the 13th minute when forward Rani scored a brilliant goal from the top of the circle.

In the 28th minute Australia earned another penalty corner and Jodie Schulz made no mistake in converting into a goal for the second time. 

India made some penetrations at the start of the second half but couldn’t find the target.

Australia who led 3-1 at the half time scored twice in the second half with fourth goal by Nelson in the 51st minute and fifth goal by Georgia Nanscawen in the 60th minute.

India had their moments in the match and tried hard to reduce margin in the last ten minutes of the game. India earned a penalty corner in the 63rd minute and Poonam Rani deflected a well-directed ball by Asunta Lakra to the nets.

India will now play host New Zealand in their pre-classification fixture on Saturday.

By Indian Sports News Network