India’s rough patch in the FIH Pro League 2024-25 continued on Sunday with another defeat. This time, they lost 2-3 to Australia in a tough match played in Antwerp. This loss marks India’s sixth straight defeat in the ongoing season, pushing them down the league table and raising concerns about their form ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Early Excitement But Missed Chances
The match began with high energy as both teams showed intent to score. In the very first minute, India’s goalkeeper Krishan Pathak made a great save to stop Australia. Then, in the 3rd minute, India took the lead thanks to a smart play. Jugraj Singh took a penalty corner, and after a deflection, Sanjay calmly pushed the ball into the goal.
However, India’s lead didn’t last long. Just one minute later, Australia responded with two back-to-back goals that completely changed the mood of the game. Tim Brand scored the equaliser with a clever chip shot. Only 50 seconds after that, Blake Govers added another, showing his experience and skill with a powerful hit that gave Pathak no chance.
Australia Controls the Game
After gaining the lead, Australia dominated the first half. Their pressure was intense, and they didn’t let India settle. They kept pressing high and forced India to make mistakes. Early in the second quarter, Cooper Burns made it 3-1 with a penalty corner goal that bounced off a defender.
For the rest of the first half, India hardly touched the ball. The Australian side looked sharper, faster, and more organised. India struggled to find their rhythm and create scoring opportunities.
India Fights Back in Second Half
The second half saw a better performance from India. They looked more confident and started passing the ball with more control. Their hard work paid off in the third quarter. A great move involving Jarmanpreet and Abhishek helped Dilpreet score with a smart deflection after a reverse flick into the circle. This made the score 3-2 and gave India some hope.
Unfortunately, Australia managed the final quarter perfectly. They kept the ball mostly in India’s half and didn’t allow any clear chances. India’s goalkeeper Krishan Pathak made several brilliant saves to stop the Australian attack, which kept the final score close.
A Special Milestone for Manpreet Singh
Even though the result was disappointing for India, the game was special for team captain Manpreet Singh. He played his 400th international match — a huge achievement in modern hockey. After the match, Australian captain Jeremy Hayward presented Manpreet with a jersey signed by the Australian team. Both teams also formed a guard of honour to celebrate his milestone.
Manpreet became only the third Indian player in recent times to play 400 matches for the national team. This was a proud moment for India, even in the face of defeat.
What’s Next for India?
India’s six losses in a row, all by just one-goal margins, have pushed them down to sixth place in the Pro League table. On the other hand, Australia climbed to fourth place after two consecutive wins against India.
India will now face Belgium twice to finish their season. These matches are scheduled for June 21 and June 22. Fans and experts are hoping for a strong comeback to end the season on a positive note.
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