India take on Australia in the FIH Pro Hockey League 2020 in Bhubaneswar. India have two wins out of four matches played in the competition.
Fantastic performance by Raj Kumar Pal
One big positive for India today was 2 superb goals scored for @TheHockeyIndia by new boy Raj Kumar Pal. Great to see a youngster playing with confidence and character. Not easy to do that against the Aussies early in your career #FIHProLeague. Well done Raj 👏👏👏
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) February 21, 2020
Tough to beat Australia - for India and at the Kalinga Stadium
Australia maintain their unbeaten record against India going back to 2016. @Kookaburras also continue impressive record at Kalinga Stadium in regulation time hockey with their last loss coming in 2014#INDvAUS #FIHProLeague
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) February 21, 2020
LIVE: https://t.co/bfdZz9g1Po
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
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
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.
Pakistan Hockey Federation officials will be taking up the issue of resuming bilateral series against India at neutral venues on the sidelines of the 47th International Hockey Federation (FIH) Statutory Congress.
Returning to the Indian team after a year, Manpreet shared his excitement about playing against a top-quality side.
The new dates of the men's ACT have been confirmed with the Bangladesh Hockey Federation and are also approved by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the AHF said.
