Perth, May 26: The friendly series between the Indian and Australian women’s hockey teams kicked off on Tuesday. The first match, held at the Perth Hockey Stadium, saw the Indian team suffer a 2-1 defeat.
India struck first in the opening quarter, with Navneet Kaur converting a penalty corner to give her team an early lead. The Indian defense held strong throughout the first half, maintaining their advantage until the second quarter.
However, the momentum shifted in the second half when Australia’s Abby Wilson capitalized on two penalty corner opportunities, scoring in both the third and fourth quarters to secure victory for the home team.
The second match of the series is scheduled for Wednesday.
This four-match friendly series is a crucial step for the Indian women’s hockey team as they prepare for the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in New Zealand for the 2025-26 season. Under the captaincy of Salima Tete, the team aims to build essential momentum ahead of this significant event.
Earlier this year, the Indian team showcased impressive performance in Argentina, bouncing back strongly after losing two matches to level the series 2-2 against the world’s second-ranked team. The team arrives in Australia with heightened confidence, having spent the last few weeks in a national training camp at SAI Bengaluru, focusing on high-intensity technical drills. Under the guidance of head coach Sjoerd Marijne, players have improved their skills, gameplay, penalty corner variations, and overall match fitness.
The 22-member Indian squad features a blend of youth and experience. Currently ranked ninth in the FIH World Rankings, the team is ready to challenge their eighth-ranked opponents.
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