Australia outplay india 4-2 in the women hockey

Melbourne, Mar 16: Defending champion India started their title defence on a disastrous note as they were outplayed by formidable Australia 4-2 in the women hockey competition of Commonwealth Games here today.

The teams were 2-2 at half time before Rebecca Sanders (41st) and Angela Skirving(70th) scored a goal each to win it for the hosts.

Earlier, Wendy Beattie (first minute) Karen Smith (24th) score for the winners. For India Asunta Lakra (14th) and Mamta Kharab (22nd) scored.

The scoreline is not the true reflection of the Australian dominance. They forced as many as 10 penalty corners, but could convert only two while the visitors scored from both the penalty corners they recieved.

The Indians have to thank goalkeeper Helen Mary who made some spectacular saves otherwise the margin of defeat would have been much higher.

The match started ominously for Indians as in the very first minute the hosts struck through Wendy Beattie. The Hockeyroos launched a frontal attack from the word go and before the Indians could settle down their rivals were one up.

The defending champions managed to regroup soon and in the sixth minute had a good chance to equalise but Saba Anjum who only had to beat the goal keeper muffed the chance. After that for next seven minutes Indians came under tremendous pressure but defenders Rajwinder Kaur, Kanti Baa and goal keeper Helen Mary warded off the attacks.

The first fruitful Indian attack came in the 14th minute when they earned their first penalty corner and Kanti Baa, instead of taking a direct crack, relayed the ball to unmarked Asunta Lakra who lunged forward to defelct the ball home.

Eight minutes later, the Indians stunned the huge crowd when they forced their second penalty corner. This time Mamta Kharab pushed the ball and Baa's shot hit the post and Kharab who was standing nearby made no mistake in pushing the ball home to the bewilderment of the hosts to take a 2-1 lead.

However, India could not defend the lead for long as the Australians mounted pressure and forced the equaliser within two minutes through Karen Smith who captalised on the defensive lapse.

But India kept the pressure with Mamta Kharab, Saba Anjum and Jasjit Handa making some good moves with Jyoti Kullu in the right flank.

The Indians were reduced to 10 members five minutes before the breather when their skipper Sumrai Tete was shown the yellow card.

The second half was simply a washout for them as the Australians virtually laid a seige around their citadel. The Indians crowded their defence as the rivals mounted attacks from all sides. But the defence fell in the 41st minute with the hosts earning their fourth penalty corner and this time Rebecca Sanders deflected the ball following an indirect attempt.

There was no looking back for the Aussies after that and soon it became a battle between their forwards and Indian goalkeeper Helen.

Helen frustrated the Australians as she foiled innumerable attacks but just before the final whistle she also caved in.

Australia forced their 10th penalty corner and this time Angela Skirving, with a powerful dragflick, sent the ball home (4-2).

''Australia played attacking game throughout and they deserved to win,'' said Indian coach M K Kaushik after the match.

''The girls played well especially in the first half, but the rivals dominated the second session,'' he said adding, ''I have no excuse to offer.'' He hoped that the Indians will come out with winning in next league matches.

UNI