Perth: In a closely contested fifth and final match of the five-game Test series, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team faced a narrow 2-3 defeat against Australia in Perth. Despite putting up a valiant effort, India fell short as Australia secured the victory with goals from Jeremy Hayward, Ky Willott, and Tim Brand. Harmanpreet Singh and Boby Singh Dhami found the back of the net for India in a thrilling encounter.
The match commenced with India displaying a focused approach, aiming to maintain possession and dictate the tempo of the game. This strategy paid off early on as Captain Harmanpreet Singh capitalized on a penalty corner opportunity, giving India the lead with a well-executed shot in the fourth minute.
Buoyed by their early advantage, India continued to apply pressure on Australia’s defense, but the hosts fought back, leveling the score through Jeremy Hayward’s goal in the second quarter. Despite India’s persistent efforts, the teams entered halftime with the score tied at 1-1.
The third quarter saw Australia seizing the momentum, with quick goals from Ky Willott and Tim Brand propelling them to a 3-1 lead. However, India refused to back down and intensified their offensive efforts in the final quarter.
Boby Singh Dhami provided a glimmer of hope for India by scoring his first international goal in the 53rd minute, narrowing the deficit to just one goal. Despite India’s late surge, Australia managed to hold on to their lead, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory in the match.