 "File image of India's Abhishek who score two goals against Australia. Image: PTI")
Another heartbreak for India as Australia bounced back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in the ongoing FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 in Antwerp on Saturday. Following four successive narrow losses in the European leg, Indian men’s hockey team sans their captain Harmanpreet Singh had a dream start against Australia until they floundered lead in the final quarter, allowing their opponents to comeback. It was goals by Nathan Ephraums (42’), Joel Rintala (56’) and Tom Craig (60’) that put Australia ahead while Abhishek (8’, 35’) scored a double for India.
It was an entertaining opening quarter with India taking the lead as early as 8th minute of the game. The initial few minutes saw both teams trade chances in the circles until a perfect pass from the midfield by Manpreet Singh, who is on 399 international caps, to Abhishek positioned at the top of the circle fetched India a crucial 1-0 lead.
Abhishek did well to beat the defender to find the net. Only two minute later, Australia threatened to equalise when James Collins won Australia’s first penalty corner with some clever work in the circle, finding the Indian defender’s foot. But Suraj Karkera, has shown great promise in this tournament, standing firm in the post made a brilliant stop with his foot. He was kept busy in the following minutes as Australian attack raided the circle with multiple chances but the Mumbai lad was up to the task.
India was cautious in the second quarter. Did well to defend the 1-0 lead and also came close to doubling it when experienced Mandeep Singh set-up Manpreet at the goal-mouth with a quick-fire cross pass but Manpreet couldn’t quite get the right deflection.
Though Australia turned the tables on India in the third quarter pushing for that elusive first goal, India doubled the lead in the 35th minute - thanks to the handy work of Sukhjeet Singh who made a clever assist to Abhishek. Adding a double to his name in this match, Abhishek made no mistake in pumping it past the Australian goalie Ashleigh Thomas. Australia eventually did find an opportunity to score through Nathan Ephraums with a fine assist by Tom Craig.
The final quarter was nervy for Indian hockey fans with Australia mustering back-to-back PCs but Suraj Karkera was on top of his game to keep Australia at bay. With a little over five minutes left for the final hooter, Australia won another PC and this time, they equalised with Joel Rintala’s conversion. They extended the lead in the 60th minute with another PC well-struck by Tom Craig - handing India another heartbreaking loss on the trot.