Adelaide, 18-27 May 2023: The Indian Women’s National Hockey Team were beaten by a spirited Australian side at Mate Stadium.
“The Pines Stadium,” as it was earlier known, witnessed great hockey by the hosts over five game days. Australia started the opening match of the series by giving international caps to five debutants in Alana Kavanagh, Alice Arnott, Olivia Downes, Pippa Morgan, and Utri Aisling. They won the first game, 4-2. India started the second game well, improving the attack and run-ins, but as the game continued, Australia pressed forward and eventually beat India 3-2.
India drew the third game 1-1. After Maddison Brooks gave the hosts the lead in the 25th minute, the visitors rallied from behind to tie the game with a 42nd-minute goal from Deep Grace Ekka. India maintained possession during the opening period of play and executed some quality passes. In the second quarter, India’s players displayed excellent ball control and engaged in a fast-paced style of play. India controlled the game’s pace to find the equalizer early in the third quarter. It paid off when defender Deep Grace Ekka equalized with a penalty corner. In the fourth quarter, Australia came out firing, but India’s defence fought tough and stopped the hosts from obtaining the lead.
The first three matches saw senior Australian women test the Indian defence strenuously and had better possession of the ball. They played in a good rhythm and lost it on negligible occasions. India seemed good on set pieces but failed to capitalize on their advantage during the tournament.
Australia won the three-match test series 2-0.
The last two matches of the test series were played against the Australia A side. Before I talk anything further, if you have sharpened your knives, it’s the perfect time to cut and chop the wood.
The senior India team lost the fourth game to Australia A, 3-2. The fifth and final match of the series started with India missing a penalty corner in the 2nd minute. Australia A were solid in their attack and defense, had reasonable control over the ball, and rightly exposed India’s poor penalty conversion rate. But India could gather momentum and sign off the tour with a 2-1 win. Australia tried very hard in quarters 2 and 3 but failed to take the lead.
Even for those loyal fans that supported the women’s team at its worst, games and series like these will get onto the nerves, for once. Disgusting is a small word. In every aspect of the game, the Indian women looked hopeless – miles away from top-flight international teams. How can a team that finished fourth in the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics dropped low in fitness levels and technical aspects of the game is beyond my thoughts and words. If there is only one thing I would like to see happening for the Indian Women’s National Field Hockey Team, Siegfried Aikman is the new coach. The former Japan and Pakistan coach is currently available, and I hope Hockey India acquires his signature.
The above said, there were some landmarks on the way for the Indian women in this Adelaide test series, though. Defender Deep Grace Ekka and goalkeeper Savita Punia completed their 250 India caps, whereas midfielders Nikki Pradhan and Monika completed their 150th and 200th India caps, respectively.
India Women first played vs. their Australian counterparts in the 1983 Women’s World Cup, Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, except for a few draws and wins, India boasts an abysmal record against the Hockeyroos.
Their next assignment is in Terrassa, Spain, on the 100th Anniversary of the Spanish Hockey Association – Torneo Del Centenario. Senior India Women and Men will play a four-nation tournament with England, South Africa, and the hosts Spain from 25th – 30th July 2023.
