Indian men’s hockey team suffered a 7-4 defeat to Australia in their second clash of the five-match hockey test series in Adelaide.
With this Australia took a 2-0 lead in the series as the hosts also registered a 5-4 victory in their first match on Saturday.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh’s two goals in 2nd and 59th minute helped the visitors take an early lead. However, Australian star Blake Govers’ hat-trick in 11th, 26th and 52nd minute put the game beyond India’s reach. Jack Welch struck a brace in 16th and 23rd minute while one each goal netted by Jacob Anderson and Jake Whetton in 47th and 48th respectively, giving the hosts a dominating 7-4 victory.
Hardik Singh in 24th and Mohammed Raheel in 35th scored the other two goals for India.
Australia’s Jake Harvie was declared the Player of the Match. The match was also Australian captain Eddie Ockenden’s 400th international cap – first men’s hockey player from his country to achieve the feat.
India and Australia meet for the third Test on Wednesday. The five-match series, part of India’s FIH World Cup preparations, concludes on 4th of next month.
