Australia put seven goals past India in five-match test series

Australia has won the first two games out of the five-match test series.

India loses the second successive match to Australia (4-7) thereby trailing the five-match test series 0-2. The first match was an entertaining one with both the teams playing intensive hockey but the second match turned out to be a one-sided affair after the start of the fourth quarter which decides the fate of the match.

India started the match on a comprehensive note scoring the first goal inside the first four minutes putting Australi on the backfoot but the Kookaburras like always fought back hard and converted a PC into a goal in the fourth successive attempt. India denied Australia three PC but couldn't succeed the fourth time drawing level at 1-1. 

Second half spoil

The second half was totally dominated by the Aussies scoring three goals and were excellent in the counter-attack but a goal from Hardik Singh got India some respite trailing by just two goals at the end of the first half. The third quarter is where India dominated from the start scoring a goal from the PC. Raheel deflected the ball from Harmanpreet Singh which proved to be vital turning it into a goal. In the defence, India did not allow many loose balls and was alertly denying Australia any goal from the quarter.

The fourth quarter turned into misery for the Indian defence which concede two goals inside the first four minutes. Indians looked off-colour with poor passing accuracy which allowed Australia to score goals freely. Glover continued from where he left off in the first match providing assists and scoring goals simultaneously. Harmanpreet Singh in the end scored his second of the match. The poor play from the Indian defence in the final quarter was the talking point of the match apart from which the team performed well.

The defence has been a cause of concern since the FIH Pro League and the search for a second drag flicker is also continuing. With only three matches still remaining Graham Reid needs to find solutions before the start of the World Cup to be held in India next year.