Preview: Winless so far, India face an uphill task as they take on in-form world champions Australia in a crucial match of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament on Tuesday.
After one loss and a draw, India are currently placed fourth in the six-team tournament with just one point.
Australia, on the other hand, are positioned atop the table with two wins from as many games.
File image of India in action at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2018. Image credit: Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia
And on Tuesday, India cannot afford another loss if they wish to stay afloat in the tournament.
But it would be easier said than done as Australia have fielded a strong squad and are in red-hot form while the Indians have come here with an inexperienced team under the leadership of Sardar Singh.
While India lost 2-3 and drew 1-1 against Olympic champions Argentina and England in their first two games respectively, Australia defeated England 4-1 before getting the better of hosts Malaysia 3-1.
The Indians looked lacklustre in the opening two games and wasted numerous chances, including as many as nine penalty corners against England in their second game.
But if Sjoerd Marijne's team wants to upstage the Kookaburras tomorrow, it cannot afford to miss scoring chances, especially against an opponent as attacking as Australia.
Skipper Sardar has to lift his game significantly and inspire the youngsters in the absence of his regular teammates.
For Sardar, it is a make or break tournament. He has to deliver to be in fray for important tournaments lined-up later this year as an ordinary outing can draw curtains on his international career, especially with the team management preferring youngsters.
With the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games a month away, it would be one last time for the Indian players, including Sardar to impress upon the national selectors.
A favourable result against Australia would definitely brighten India's chances as they play hosts Malaysia (on 7 March) and minnows Ireland (9 March) in their last two round-robin fixtures.
In other matches of the day, England will play neighbours Ireland while Argentina will square off against the home team.
Updated Date: Mar 06, 2018 17:14 PM
Highlights
Tough for India. They sustained the pace and held the ball well. But a period in the 3rd quarter let them down. Australia powered in with two goals. But India fought back brilliantly, getting two goals to cut the scores.
GOAL. GOAL.
India get a second. It's Ramandeep with a reverse stick. Scores are 2-4
GOAL. GOAL.
India pull one back. It's 1-4
GOAL. GOAL.
Australia lead 4-0
GOAL. GOAL.
Australia get their 3rd. It's Daniel Beale with the easiest of taps.
GOAL. GOAL.
AUSTRALIA LEAD 2-0
GOAL. GOAL.
Captain Mark Knowles converts it easily. Australia lead 1-0.
Welcome to the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament. It's India Vs Australia. Big Game and India's youngsters would be looking to hold the 9-time champions and come off with a positive result.
17:12 (IST)
Australia have beaten India 4-2.
That's it from the Azlan Shah here in Ipoh.
Tomorrow India play hosts Malaysia. It should be a cracker of a game.
17:11 (IST)
India did play well with a bunch of young players. Also they need to look at the cards they are getting. Today they had two greens and a yellow. It does pull the team down when they play with ten.
17:10 (IST)
Australia have virtually moved into the final now. They have nine points with three wins. India are out of a final berth. They have one point with two matches to go - against Ireland and Malaysia. They can think of a bronze medal play off. But two wins will be needed.
17:08 (IST)
Tough for India. They sustained the pace and held the ball well. But a period in the 3rd quarter let them down. Australia powered in with two goals. But India fought back brilliantly, getting two goals to cut the scores.
17:07 (IST)
We are seconds away now. And that is the end of the match. Australia have won 4-2.
17:06 (IST)
Two mins left. It will be good to get a goal now. India have worked hard after falling back.
17:05 (IST)
But India fail to stop the push. PC wasted.
17:04 (IST)
Nilakanta Sharma pulls in a PC with a lovely move. It's India's 2nd PC in the match.
17:03 (IST)
India have pulled off the goalkeeper with three minutes left.
17:02 (IST)
Corey Weyer flicks and Karkera pulls off another save.
17:01 (IST)
PC for Australia. It's their 4th.
17:00 (IST)
Five minutes left in the match. Can they pull a couple back? India in an attacking mode.
16:58 (IST)
GOAL. GOAL.
India get a second. It's Ramandeep with a reverse stick. Scores are 2-4
16:58 (IST)
The move from Ramandeep and Sumit directed towards Gurjant goes off Australia's Jeremy Edwards stick. It's an own goal.
16:56 (IST)
GOAL. GOAL.
India pull one back. It's 1-4
16:55 (IST)
Australia keeping the ball and making India work hard. Maybe, a goal from India will lift them.
16:52 (IST)
Great save from Karkera. Australia moving in easily now.
16:52 (IST)
It will be difficult for India to work their way back.
16:49 (IST)
The Indian defence struggling as the structure so pronounced in the first two quarters has come apart. Defenders playing too close together.
16:47 (IST)
And that's the end of the 3rd quarter. It's almost a rout. Australia leading 4-0 with a quarter to go.
16:46 (IST)
After such a fine show in the 1st two quarters, the defence is coming apart. Karkera took the PC on the pads but the rebound was hammered in by Blake Govers.
16:45 (IST)
GOAL. GOAL.
Australia lead 4-0
16:43 (IST)
It's getting easy now for Australia. It's the 3rd PC for Australia.
16:43 (IST)
Australia lead 3-0. The Indian defence all crumbling, unable to get out of their own space and making it easy for the Aussies to kill the moves.
16:42 (IST)
GOAL. GOAL.
Australia get their 3rd. It's Daniel Beale with the easiest of taps.
16:40 (IST)
And this is crazy! Rohidas has a yellow. Shoves his stick into the path of Mitton. He is off for at least 5 minutes. 2nd yellow for India in the tournament. India now play again with ten men.
16:38 (IST)
Mitton is late on the ball and Knowles reverse hit crashes into the side netting.
16:37 (IST)
And that's the 2nd PC for Australia. India putting it on their own feet.
16:36 (IST)
Trent Mitton flicks but it goes wide. Australia lead 2-0 in the 3rd quarter.
16:34 (IST)
PC for Australia. Their 1st in the match.
16:34 (IST)
Lovely skills on the flanks as the ball gets past the Indian GK and gives Aran Zalewski all the space to tap in. It's 2-0.
16:33 (IST)
GOAL. GOAL.
AUSTRALIA LEAD 2-0
16:31 (IST)
Now Rohidas gets a green card. It's ten on the field for India.
16:30 (IST)
Both teams trying for a breakthrough. Beale couldn't get through. While India holding and attacking from the right flank.
16:27 (IST)
And the 3rd quarter is on.
16:27 (IST)
Probably the ear piece has fallen off one of the umpires. But they are back now.
16:25 (IST)
Delay on the pitch as umpires are still at the technical table.
16:22 (IST)
3rd Quarter about to start.
16:21 (IST)
The only PC of the match came to India and the team saw Varun's flick beat everybody but come off the post.
16:20 (IST)
India can take a lot of heart from the display until now. Australia may have the lead. But India have also rattled them with ferocious runs into their striking circle.
16:15 (IST)
The Indian defence has been superb. Unlucky to have given the stroke that gave Australia the lead.
16:15 (IST)
It's been a terrific encounter between two highly skilled and fast teams. India's youngsters playing well with the seniors like Uthappa, Sardar and Ramandeep having a good game.
16:14 (IST)
And that's the end of the 2nd quarter. It's the break.
Australia lead 1-0. India had a PC in the last minute of the 2nd quarter but the flick hits the post and comes off.
16:13 (IST)
Gosh! Varun Kumar's PC flick comes off the post.
16:12 (IST)
PC for India.
16:11 (IST)
Australia unable to crack open the Indian defence do it with a stroke. They lead 1-0 at the moment.
16:09 (IST)
GOAL. GOAL.
Captain Mark Knowles converts it easily. Australia lead 1-0.
16:08 (IST)
And after a melee in the goalmouth, Australia have been given a stroke.
16:07 (IST)
Fast counter from Tom Craig but his shot flashes past the post.
16:06 (IST)
Bad pass from Sardar. But the Aussies can't capitalise. It's still goalless here at the Azlan Shah.