Wasteful India go down to Australia

Defending champions Australia pipped India 3-2 in an absorbing encounter in the six-nation Champions Trophy. The world champions produced their best show of the tournament, scoring through Lachlan Sharp (6th minute), Tom Craig (15th) and Trent Mitton (33rd) to secure full points.

The Indians, however, fought till the end, scoring through Varun Kumar (10th) and Harmanpreet Singh (58th), producing a nail-biting finish.

The defeat meant India slumped to third spot in the standings with six points from three games while Australia climbed to the top with seven points from identical number of matches. Netherlands are second in the table with six points.

India’s next match is against Belgium on Thursday.

The match witnessed plenty of scoring chances earned by both the sides in the form of penalty corners.

While Australia secured seven penalty corners, India could make use of just one of its nine set pieces.

Australia took the lead in the sixth minute through Sharpa, who tapped home an Eddie Ockenden’s feed from close quarter. Varun levelled the scores for India soon when he slammed home a SV Sunil feed from right flank. Seconds from the end of the first quarter a lapse in concentration from the Indian defence proved costly as Craig scored from a goalmouth melee.

The Kookaburras came out in the third quarter stronger and increased their lead to 3-1, when Mitton scored from top of the circle with a fierce hit. Australia dominated the proceedings thereafter.

Trailing by two goals, India exerted pressure on the Australian defence and in the process secured three penalty corners in succession, the last of which was converted by Harmanpreet, two minutes from the hooter.