Hockey: India U18 men outclass Australia to level series; women suffer third straight loss

The Indian U18 men’s hockey team produced a dominant display to beat Australia 6-3 and level the four-match series at 1-1, while the Indian U18 women’s team suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat against the visitors at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on Monday.

After a 2-2 draw in the opening match and a defeat on Sunday, the Indian men bounced back strongly with an attacking first-half performance. Akash Deep (10’) opened the scoring in the first quarter before Shahrukh Ali (14’) doubled India’s lead soon after.

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India tightened their grip on the contest in the second quarter as Ketan Kushwaha (25’) and Romit Pal (26’) struck in quick succession to put the hosts firmly in control.

Kushwaha added his second goal of the match in the third quarter (40’), while Ansh Bahutra (45’) scored India’s sixth to cap off an impressive attacking display.

Australia attempted a comeback through Owen Taylor (23’), Oscar Freeman (29’) and Jack Weller (32’), but India’s defence held firm in the final quarter to secure an important victory.

In the women’s match, India fought hard but suffered their third defeat of the series in a closely contested encounter.

Australia took an early lead through Anneliese Cullen (5’) in the opening quarter, but India responded just before the break as Sandeepa Kumari (15’) found the equaliser to make it 1-1.

However, the visitors regained the lead early in the second quarter when Stella Bartholomeusz (17’) struck what eventually proved to be the winning goal.

India defended well in the second half and prevented Australia from extending their advantage, but the hosts were unable to find another equaliser.

Earlier on Sunday, the Indian U18 men’s and women’s teams had suffered 1-3 and 1-4 defeats, respectively, against Australia.

Both the men’s and women’s teams will now play their fourth and final matches of the series on Wednesday at the same venue.