The Indian men’s hockey team finally snapped their losing streak in the FIH Pro League, stunning world No. 3 Australia 3-1 in a shoot-out after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time in Hobart on Wednesday.
After a disastrous Rourkela leg and three successive shoot-out defeats in Hobart, Hardik Singh’s men desperately needed a breakthrough, and they found it in dramatic fashion.
Lakra Levels, India Hold Nerve
The first three quarters were a cagey affair, with both sides unable to find the net. Australia dominated possession early, but India’s defence held firm, with goalkeeper Mohith Shashikumar Honnenahalli producing crucial saves.
The breakthrough finally came in the 49th minute when Australia captain Jeremy Hayward converted a penalty corner.
But India hit back almost instantly.
Hardik Singh sparked the move, Abhishek carried it down the right, Poovanna Chandura Boby squared it across, and Shilanand Lakra calmly slotted home a field goal in the 51st minute to restore parity.
With momentum swinging India’s way, they pressed hard and won multiple penalty corners late on, but neither side could find a winner.
Shoot-Out Redemption
In the shoot-out, India were clinical.
Lakra, Maninder Singh and Vishnukant Singh converted, while Hayward scored Australia’s only goal. Mohith then turned hero, denying the hosts three times to secure the bonus point.
India walked away with two points; Australia settled for one.
The win comes after a difficult stretch. India had lost all four matches in Rourkela, then suffered a 0-2 defeat to Spain and consecutive shoot-out losses to Australia (4-5) and Spain (3-4) in Hobart.
Currently eighth in the nine-team table with four points from eight matches, India will next head to Rotterdam to face the Netherlands and Germany, starting June 21.
(with PTI inputs)
