Bhubaneswar: Hosts India would look to continue their fine form when they take on title holders Australia in their next FIH Pro League tie on Friday.
India have made an excellent start to their maiden FIH Hockey Pro League season and are currently sitting third in the table with eight points from four games.
The Manpreet Singh-led side claimed five points from a possible six against the Netherlands before claiming another three in a stunning 2-1 victory over Belgium, the reigning World and European champions. The Red Lions bounced back with a 3-2 win in the second match.
Few would dispute that India, coached by former Australian international Graham Reid and captained by newly crowned FIH Men's Player of the Year Manpreet, are playing their best hockey in recent years.
It would also be India's penultimate home tie at the Kalinga Stadium before they embark on a series of away games. But past records and statistics don't look promising for the hosts as Australia have an outstanding recent record against India.
The world no.2 Kookaburras have won 22 of their last 30 meetings against world no.4 India and have not faced a defeat since a 2016 Test match in Bendigo, Australia, when VR Raghunath scored twice in a 3-2 win.
Australia, managed by Colin Batch, who was recently named 2019 Men's FIH Coach of the Year, also have an imperious record at the Kalinga Stadium, a venue where they have not suffered a defeat in regular time since a semi-final loss at the hands of Germany at the Hero Champions Trophy in 2014.
The Australians were unbeaten in all six matches on the way to claiming the title at the 2017 Hockey World League Final, and won five of their six matches at the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2018, with only the Netherlands getting the better of them in a semi-final shoot-out after the regular time finished 2-2.
The Kookaburras will be in a confident mood coming into the tie after their recent performances against Great Britain in the FIH Pro League, where they claimed five points out of six.
Australia recovered from a difficult opening weekend against Belgium in which they earned just one point from their two matches. They are currently placed at the fifth spot with six points from four games.
The first match of the two-leg tie will be held on Friday with the return leg scheduled on Saturday.
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Updated Date: Feb 21, 2020 21:05:59 IST
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Highlights
HOOTER!
The hooter goes off and Australia somehow, somehow hold on to win 4-3. They were leading 4-1 at the close of third quarter but goals from Raj Kumar Pal and Rupinder Pal Singh in the final quarter reduced deficit. Chances thereafter to equalise too for India but none were converted
PC for India, India 3-4 Australia
India with a penalty corner now. Rupinder Pal Singh with a thundering strike. He kept it low, flat and it bangs the board. It goes to the keeper's left and that was very well hit
GOAL! India 2-4 Australia
Raj Kumar Pal gets his second of the night. He surges forward, lets fly from the edge of the circle and that is a belter of a strike. Nothing an Australia defender or keeper could do to keep it out. It zipped past and into the corner
End of third quarter: India 1-4 Australia
Raj Kumar Pal goal gave India a slender chance of coming back in this game when he scored in the 36th minute. But five minutes later, Lachlan Sharp made it three for Australia followed by Jacob Anderson for the fourth. Two goals in two minutes for Australia. The fourth goal could well have gone to Daniel Beale
GOAL! INDIA 1-4 AUSTRALIA
India are falling apart and Australia are capitalising. Jacob Anderson with Australia's fourth goal now. Two goals in two minutes. Plenty of space, he surges forward and goal. Possible involvement from another Australia player and tough call on who gets the goal. Either way, India under plenty of pressure
GOAL! INDIA 1-3 AUSTRALIA
Moments after a possible own goal is saved on the line, India with a turnover in trying to get the ball out and then way too much space for Australia in the circle. Lachlan Sharp with a low shot and it creeps underneath Pathak's legs and into the goal. PR Sreejesh, on the sideline, has his face in his hands
PCs for India, GOAL!
Lalit Upadhyay with a sharp turn and it gets the Australia leg. India with another PC in quick period. Another Harvey block but the second shot gets a foot. India have a second chance. Rupinder Pal Singh with this one on target, it is saved and comes out to Raj Kumar Pal who stops it and then back sticks it into goal. India have one back! Wait, there is a review by Australia. And the goal stands. India 1-2 Australia
Half time: India 0-2 Australia
Australia lead India 2-0 at half time with goals from Dylan Wotherspoon and Tom Wickham. The goals coming in either side of quarter break. Australia doing well in defence as India look out of ideas at times
GOAL! India 0-2 Australia
Australia have doubled their lead with Tom Wickham getting the final all-important touch. Eddie Ockenden moves forward and spreads the well-weighted ball which is touched on by Wickham into the goal. Slightest of touches and that's all that matters
Green cards
Jake Whetton first and now Manpreet Singh with green cards. Few seconds apart between the two disciplinary issues for teams. Both down to ten men
After first quarter: India 0-1 Australia
End of first quarter, Australia lead 1-0 with field goal from Dylan Wotherspoon in the sixth minute. India dominating possession but nothing concrete to show for it
GOAL! INDIA 0-1 AUSTRALIA
Australia score! Loose aerial ball by Rupinder Pal Singh is converted by Australia. They come soaring in numbers with Aran Zelewski leading the attack and make the man advantage count. Dylan Wotherspoon is clean through on goal in the middle and he has the simple task of deflecting the pass in.
India's playing XI: Krishan (GK), Harmanpreet, Sunil, Rupinder, Akashdeep, Manpreet (c), Vivek, Rajkumar, Surender, Gursahibjit, Gurinder
Australia in FIH Pro League 2020 so far
Australia in their most recent outing against Great Britain – claimed five points from six, recovering from a difficult opening weekend against Belgium in which they earned just one point from their two matches. Australia are fifth in the standings with one win from four matches for 6 points. They trail India by 2 points
India at FIH Pro League 2020 so far
India have made an excellent start and are currently sitting third with eight points. They claimed five points from a possible six against the Netherlands before claiming another three in a stunning 2-1 victory over reigning world champions Belgium. The Red Lions bounced back with a 3-2 win in the second match. Since then, more reason for the players to be motivated with Manpreet Singh winning the FIH Men’s Player of the Year award
LIVE NEWS and UPDATES
21:03 (IST)
That's all we have for you today from the hockey pitch. Join us tomorrow for the second match in this home leg for India against Australia. Need plenty of changes and maybe more urgency than they showed today. Until tomorrow evening, goodbye!
21:00 (IST)
Fantastic performance by Raj Kumar Pal
20:58 (IST)
Tough to beat Australia - for India and at the Kalinga Stadium
20:47 (IST)
India captain Manpreet Singh: "Disappointed with how we started today. We didn't create many chances in the three quarters. Tomorrow we need to improve on that."
20:46 (IST)
Player of the match Lachlan Sharp: "Disappointed to let India back from 4-1 up. It wasn't what we wanted but the defence held on."
"We have a squad of 27 who can step up and play their role. Love the support of Indian crowd and of the Kalinga Stadium."
20:45 (IST)
Match stats
20:43 (IST)
HOOTER!
The hooter goes off and Australia somehow, somehow hold on to win 4-3. They were leading 4-1 at the close of third quarter but goals from Raj Kumar Pal and Rupinder Pal Singh in the final quarter reduced deficit. Chances thereafter to equalise too for India but none were converted
20:41 (IST)
PC for India
With 35 seconds to go, India have a chance to level things up. Rupinder Pal Singh is the one who takes the shot and this one is wide of the target. It goes wide of the past and seen off by the defender on the line.
20:39 (IST)
India denied
Australia with a crucial, crucial last ditch tackle to deny what would have been a glorious chance for India to equalise. Bit of afters but referee calms things down. India pull Sreejesh out with minute and a half to go
20:35 (IST)
Chance for Australia
Sreejesh stands tall for India and denies Australia who had the space and time to make it beyond doubt. Jacob Anderson denied first and then a scramble of sorts with Lovett comes to nothing. India survive and keep things going for the remainder of five minutes