Junior Women’s Hockey Team Stay Undefeated in 3-Nations Tourney, Hold Australia To A 1-1 Draw

The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team made a comeback after trailing in the three-nation tournament being played in Australia and restricted hosts Australia to a 1-1 draw on Thursday.

The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute thanks to an on-field goal from Skonel Courtney but India equalized with a goal from Gagandeep Kaur on the penalty stroke in the 52nd minute.

The Indian team started aggressively in the first quarter and made many good moves. The team got their first penalty corner in the 10th minute.

Australia’s strong defense, however, thwarted India’s effort. In the second quarter, Australia made some good moves in which India failed. However, the continued efforts paid dividends for Australia when Courtney scored a goal in the 25th minute to put Australia ahead 1-0.

Indian eves tried hard to find and equalizer but strong defense by the hosts managed to keep India at bay. Australia went into half time with the scoreboard reading 1-0 in their favor.

The hosts continued to be the more aggressive of the two sides even in the third quarter. The Australians managed to win a penalty corner early in the third quarter, however, top their dismay an alert Indian defense denied the hosts a chance to double up their lead.

On the other hand the Indian eves were also trying to pick up their game which was clearly evident when the girls were finding good angles and were getting into good positions but, the Indian team was not able to find the back of the net.

The hosts managed to hold on the 1-0 lead even in the third quarter as time was running out on the Indian team.

In the fourth and final quarter of the game, the Indian eves upped the ante and came out all guns blazing. They managed to win a penalty corner early on in the fourth quarter, but the hosts denied an equalizer to the Indians.

 

Just when it seemed that Australia will run away with match, India got a penalty corner in the 52nd minute. Gagandeep Kaur was up to the task and she made no mistake to help India level the score in the dying minutes of the match.

India then made a few more attempts to take the lead in the final moments of the game however the Australian defense held their ground and denied India any chance to take the lead as the match ended in a draw.

India will be in action yet again on Saturday, December 7 as they face New Zealand in their third match of the 3-Nations Tournament.