India U-18 Men Bounce Back with 6-3 Win Over Australia; Women Go Down Fighting

Bhopal: The Indian U-18 men’s hockey team produced a dominant performance to beat Australia 6-3 and draw level in the four-match series at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal on Monday. Meanwhile, the Indian U-18 women’s team suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against the Australian side.

With the emphatic victory, the Indian men’s team made the series score 1-1 after Australia had won the previous match. India looked aggressive from the opening quarter itself and controlled the game early on. Akash Deep opened the scoring in the 10th minute before Shahrukh Ali doubled the lead four minutes later.

India continued the attacking momentum in the second quarter as Ketan Kushwaha and Romit Pal struck in quick succession during the 25th and 26th minutes to put the hosts firmly in command.

Kushwaha scored his second goal of the match in the third quarter, while Ansh Bahutra added another in the 45th minute to complete India’s six-goal tally. Australia managed goals through Owen Taylor, Oscar Freeman and Jack Weller, but the Indian defence held strong in the final phase to seal an impressive win.

In the women’s match, India fought hard but could not avoid defeat in the third game of the series. Australia went ahead early after Anneliese Cullen scored in the fifth minute. India responded positively and equalised just before the first quarter ended through Sandeepa Kumari.

However, the visitors regained the lead soon after as Stella Bartholomeusz found the net in the 17th minute. Despite a disciplined defensive effort from the Indian side in the remaining quarters, the hosts were unable to score the equaliser.

Earlier on Sunday, both the Indian men’s and women’s U-18 teams had suffered defeats against Australia in their respective second matches. The men’s team had lost 3-1 after the opening game of the series ended in a 2-2 draw.

Both teams will now play the fourth and final match of the series on Wednesday at the same venue in Bhopal.

With inputs from IANS