After a string of hard-fought but frustrating results, the India women hockey team signed off their tour of Australia with a confidence-boosting 1-0 victory over the hosts in Perth.
The win, which came in the final match of the series, was India’s only triumph of the tour and served as a fitting reward for the resilience the team showed throughout.
The difference in the match was a beautifully worked goal by Navneet Kaur in the 21st minute, a moment of attacking clarity that stood out in a fiercely competitive encounter.
That single strike, coupled with a disciplined defensive performance, helped India hold firm against the World No. 3 Australian side and secure a clean sheet—the only one of the tour.
A Much-Needed Win After Four Losses
India’s win came after four consecutive defeats—two against Australia ‘A’ and two against the senior national side. The results had been close, with India showing glimpses of control, creativity, and promise but failing to convert chances consistently or maintain defensive solidity in key moments.
Tour results summary:
- Lost to Australia ‘A’: 3-5
- Lost to Australia ‘A’: 2-3
- Lost to Australia: 0-2
- Lost to Australia: 2-3
- Beat Australia: 1-0
From Disappointment to Determination
The fourth match of the tour, held on Saturday, saw India lose narrowly by a 2-3 margin. In that game, India showed commendable fighting spirit. Navneet Kaur had equalised in the 35th minute with a sharp finish off a penalty corner, and Lalremsiami nearly sparked a comeback with a goal in the 59th minute.
However, Australia had already netted three through Grace Stewart (2’), Jade Smith (36’), and Greta Hayes (42’), enough to edge the result their way.
It was a familiar pattern through much of the tour: India competed well, created chances, and scored when the opportunity arose—but lapses in concentration and failure to contain Australia’s speedy transitions often cost them.
However, in the final match, India flipped the script.
Tactical Shift and Defensive Discipline
Coach and her staff appeared to recalibrate the team’s tactics for the last game. India sat deeper, structured their midfield more compactly, and chose moments to counter with precision.
The change was evident right from the first quarter as India kept Australia at bay, disrupting their flow and denying them easy circle entries.
When the breakthrough came via Navneet Kaur in the 21st minute, it was the result of a coordinated attacking move—an early ball played into the circle, smart positioning, and a confident finish past the Aussie goalkeeper.
More importantly, it was followed by 39 minutes of near-flawless defensive effort. Indian Goalkeeper as always, was a wall at the back, marshalling her defence and pulling off key saves. Defenders absorbed wave after wave of pressure, intercepting crosses and clearing dangerous rebounds.
Positives Despite the Series Scoreline
While the series result—one win and four losses—may not look impressive on paper, the tour offered plenty of positives for the Indian camp. This was a young squad, still adjusting to a post-Olympic cycle, facing one of the world’s best teams on their home turf. In every match, India showed competitive spirit, energy, and moments of individual brilliance.
Navneet Kaur, with goals in two of the last three matches, proved to be a crucial attacking outlet. Lalremsiami’s goal in the penultimate match was a reminder of her finishing ability in pressure moments.
The midfield, improved steadily in their ball distribution and defensive recoveries.
Equally encouraging was the evolution of the team’s fitness and composure under pressure. The final match showcased a team that had learned from earlier mistakes, remained calm when Australia surged forward, and finally closed out a narrow game—something they had failed to do in the previous encounters.
Building Towards Bigger Goals
This series was part of India’s broader preparation for upcoming key events, including the FIH Pro League and the Asian Champions Trophy later this year. Indian Coach focus now will be on building squad depth, improving conversion rates from penalty corners, and enhancing decision-making in the final third.
With young players gaining valuable international exposure and the core group getting tested against a top-tier side, the tour provided exactly the kind of challenges India needs ahead of a crucial Olympic cycle.
The final result—a 1-0 win over Australia—is more than just a consolation. It’s a statement of potential. For a team that has built its reputation on resilience and resurgence, this win could serve as the turning point for a strong year ahead.
If India can maintain this upward momentum, iron out the inconsistencies, and continue developing their attacking combinations, the future of Indian women’s hockey looks bright. This win in Perth might just be remembered as the spark that reignited their campaign in 2025.
