India ‘A’ started its campaign in the Australian Hockey League with a defeat, losing 1-3 to Victoria in a high quality encounter here.
Emily Hurtz (22nd minute), Aisling Utri (41st) and Madi Ratcliffe (55th) scored for Victoria while India’s consolation goal was scored by captain Preeti Dubey (47th).
Both the teams started the first quarter cautiously. The Indian women were put under pressure at the start and Suman Thoudam got a green card for a desperate foul in the fourth minute.
However, neither team could score in the first quarter.
Victoria, in the second quarter, scored a wonderful field goal through Emily Hurtz in the 22nd minute.
The visiting team created chances but could not level the score as Victoria led by a goal at the end of second quarter.
The third quarter saw Victoria dominate possession as it extended the lead through a penalty stroke by Aisling Utri in the 41st minute.
However, India started the fourth quarter stronger and dictated the tempo which resulted in its captain Preeti Dubey pulling one back for the visiting team by scoring a field goal in the 47th minute.
But Victoria piled pressure on the young Indian team as they earned a penalty corner in the 55th minute. It was Madi Ratcliffe who converted it.
India ‘A’ women’s team play New South Wales in their next Pool B encounter tomorrow.
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