Rio 2016 Olympics Hockey: India vs Australia; The Indian women’s hockey team led by captain Sushila Chanu will be back in action today at the Olympic Games and this time they will be taking up position against the powerful Australian team. While India is expected to do much better than what they did in their last outing against Great Britain, nevertheless only inspirational play can bring them that elusive draw. And if they manage a win they will have performed a virtual miracle. Yes, those have happened too, one must have a belief in one’s capabilities and play for the country.
One does not have to look too deep to realise where Indian women’s hockey team faltered. They were indecisive and not at all confident, unlike their first outing against Japan, when they clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit to a well-deserved draw. Why they went into a meltdown against Great Britain is still a surprise and no credible reasons have come forward. But that is not what India can afford against Australia. They need to progress further and for this they need to be strong and try and muscle out the Australians from the ball. Having said that, it will not be easy. The opposition knows that the Indian girls are very skillful and flexible and can take the game away from anyone. But that is if they are allowed to play to their best. That is why the other teams are rushing Indian players and forcing them to commit mistakes. The Indian coach should be aware of that and should have planned for it. Sadly, this looks to be lacking.
Here is the live coverage of the game as it happens – Rio 2016 Olympics Hockey LIVE: India vs Australia:
* Hooter sounds. India lose to Australia 1-6.
* With 8 seconds to go, Anuradha scores field goal for India. Averts a washout. This was possible as the Australians tired at the end and allowed a rare attack by India to go on. A weak shot from an Indian stick at the goal was saved by the goalie, but it rose over everyone’s shoulders, smashed into the boards by Anuradha! Australia complain, demand referral to deny India this consolation goal. Rejected! India goal stands.
* Things get worse. Indian player gets a yellow card. Out for 5 minutes
* Within seconds of start, Australia force penalty corner. INGENIOUSLY taken! The hitter does U-turn, lays off the ball for her mate beside her, who blasts it into the left corner. SMASHING HIT! The Australians have IMAGINATION and the skill to carry the power play off. 6-0.
* Last quarter starts
* Hooter sounds for end of third quarter; the writing is on the wall for India; Australians have proved themselves better than their opponents in every facet of the game. In fcat, Indian girls are being dispossessed of the ball so easily – like taking candy off a kid! Such supreme play by Oz girls. Supreme confidence. Amazing to see.
* GOAL! Oz girl powers ball into top right corner, no chance for Indian goalie to save. 5-0
* PENALTY CORNER! Sharply taken; hits Indian player on foot. PENALTY STROKE given.
* This penalty corner goes abegging as India manage to push out the ball after the goalie saves
* Amazingly, Australian girls are dribbling and winning. Get 5th penalty corner
* Now, Indian player Preeti gets a green card, out of field for 2 minutes
* No respite for Indians, Australia launch another attack. Another easy entry into the Indian half and reach near the goal. GOAL! This time it was an own goal as it went in off an Indian player. India are on the ropes. Sad day for India. Such abject subjugation is awful to see. 4-0.
* Not likely! yet another attack. Australia force their way into the D. India unable to clear, SHOT TAKEN! GOAL! Indians were waiting for a for referee to blow for a penalty corner as it hit an Indian foot, but advantage played. Oz girl smashes ball into top right corner! 3-0!
* Next minute another attack. Another MISS! This time it was a great chance for Australia. Unmarked Oz player misses an empty goal. Who knows, India may yet punish Australia for these costly mistakes.
* No way! India still sitting back, lose ball. Australia force a penalty corner within seconds of the re-start. MISS! The Oz girls fail to hit the mark. India effect GREAT ESCAPE! For the moment, that is.
* Match re-starts after half-time
* India in desperate need of injection of new strategy as Australia have the measure of Sushila Chanu and the girls; will coach go in for a substitution? Perhaps 2? Will Rani Rampal be deployed in an attacking position? India is at the moment finding it tough to even get out of its 25 yard line. India have started very slow today, the same as they did against Japan and then against Great Britain. Surely, they must have figured out a solution and how to effect a fightback. Who will step up for India and take the match by the scruff of its neck and tilt the balance in their favour? Will the change of ends lead to a change in fortune for India? Keep glued to this space for more.
* Second quarter ends; India manage to keep the marauding Australians at bay; some scoring chances go Oz way, India unable to penetrate rivals’ defense
* Hooter sounds for end of first quarter; Indian girls must come out attacking; clearly their strategy is not working against the strong challenge posed by the Australians. They seem to have worked out that Indian girls will crumble under pressure and that is exactly what the Oz strategy is about. Remains to be seen how India replies in second quarter.
* Australia start strong again. After 5 minutes of sustained play they force a penalty corner. However, they are unable to score. They have won 3 penalty corners so far
* This is a horrible strategy! How can India score if Rani plays at the back
* For some reason Rani Rampal is playing too far back; she seems to be part of a defensive strategy the the coach
* Australia still playing at top speed, almost the entire quarter is over
* Australia determination also stems from fact that they have lost both their earlier matches here. They surprisingly lost 2-1 to the USA and then they succumbed to Great Britain by a similar margin
* Australia playing like they are possessed, full of determination, they are pushing hard, hungry for more goals. Amazing force! Confidence personified
* India vs Australia – 0-2
* Australia HIT BACK!; force another penalty corner and SCORE, but it will count more as a field goal with 7 minutes to go for the end of first quarter
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* India fail in both attempts even though they tried hard
India STRIKE back! Force 2 penalty corner with 10 minutes left on clock
*GOAL! Australia take 1-0 lead in first 5 minutes
*Pressure pays for Australian girls, force PENALTY corner
* Very aggressive start by Australia in fact
* Australia set initial pace, launch lightning fast attack that India thwart