It’s been 30 years since Katrina Powell debuted for the Hockeyroos, but the additional motivation was not enough to push the side over the stubborn host nation.
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On a roll and enjoying a winning run in the FIH Pro League with two dominant wins over China and the USA respectively, Australia was going from strength to strength in 2024 and playing like a top two team in the world.
After missing out on Olympic qualification, India had only won one game in their last six matches this year and they were desperate to finally deliver for another packed, loud, home crowd.
Tonight was no different, as thousands of fans cheered on their home side, eager to see them cause an upset in Rourkela.
For the first two quarters, neither side could find the back of the net. Firing with immense intensity both India and the Hockeyroos had multiple shots on target and a few times it felt NSW’s Alice Arnott was finally going to find the back of the net.
In the third, it was India who found the back of the net off a penalty corner, as the ball deflected perfectly and sailed into the bottom left of the net India and the crowd threw their hands up in celebratory unison.
With the momentum swung in India’s favour and the pressure mounting on Australia, the crowd grew even louder, sensing they may witness India beat the Hockeyroos for the first time in FIH Pro League history.
In what was shaping up to be a war of attrition for both goalies, Zoe Newman produced an outstanding save to keep Australia in the fight.
But India’s skipper and goalie Savita could sense her side was moments away from making history, making two crucial saves, and denying Alice Arnott the goal she had been hunting all night in the final minutes.
Despite a penalty corner going Australia’s way in the final 30 seconds of the match, it wasn’t to be and they were undone by India for the first time since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“It was a tough game, India definitely came out to play and India reallly got behind them and I think that helped with their momentum but the way we counteract that is what we need to sort out in the coming days,” skipper Grace Stewart said post-match.
The Hockeyroos now turn their attention to the world number one, unbeaten Netherlands, tomorrow night where they hope they’ll be the team to end their 44-match unbeaten run.
“They’re going to come out with a lot of confidence and the key to beating them is finding consistency in the way we’re playing and really taking it to them and not shying away from them.”
“We know they’re good but also we’re good players too.”
Match Details
India: 1 (Katariya Vandana 34’)
Hockeyroos: 0
In Bhubaneswar, India
Hockeyroos: 1. Claire Colwill, 4. Amy Lawton, 14. Steph Kershaw, 15. Kaitlin Nobbs, 17. Lucy Sharman, 18. Jane Claxton, 20. Karri Sommerville, 24. Mariah Williams, 30. Grace Stewart (c), 41. Zoe Newman (gk), 52. Dayle Dolkens, 2. Rosie Malone, 5. Grace Young, 8. Maddison Brooks, 11. Alice Arnott, 13. Hattie Shand, 19. Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 22. Tatum Stewart
