In yet another thrilling chapter of the India–Australia hockey rivalry, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team put up a spirited performance but ultimately fell short, losing 2–3 to Australia in the 2024–25 FIH Pro League.
Though the scoreboard shows a loss, the match was anything but one-sided. From determined defending to a gutsy second-half comeback, the Women in Blue showed heart, hunger, and glimpses of the fighting spirit that has become their hallmark in recent years.
A Match of Two Halves
Australia came into the match in London as favourites, bringing with them a blend of physicality, tactical precision, and attacking depth. And for much of the first half, they lived up to that billing.
India held their own in the opening quarter but found themselves trailing early in the second when Courtney Schonell broke the deadlock with a crisp field goal. Not long after, Lexie Pickering doubled Australia’s advantage, finishing off a flowing move to put India under pressure at halftime.
Despite trailing 0–2, the Indian camp remained composed. Coach Janneke Schopman, known for instilling belief and structure, urged her players to stay calm and focus on executing their game plan.
Deepika’s Breakthrough Sparks Hope
The third quarter started ominously again, as Australia earned a penalty stroke — and Tatum Stewart made no mistake, putting her side 3–0 ahead. At that point, many teams would have folded. But not this Indian unit.
When India needed a spark, it came from their reliable drag-flick specialist Deepika. In the final minute of the third quarter, India earned a penalty corner — and Deepika thundered the ball past the Australian defence. It was a strike full of power and belief, reducing the deficit to 1–3 and shifting the momentum toward India.
It wasn’t just the goal; it was what followed. Suddenly, India looked more confident, pressing higher, intercepting passes, and earning more circle entries.
Neha Narrows the Gap Further
The fourth quarter saw India playing their best hockey of the match. Quick passes, overlapping runs, and tactical discipline gave Australia little breathing space. In the 52nd minute, another penalty corner — this time neatly worked — saw Neha place a precise shot into the back of the net.
From 0–3 down to 2–3 — India had fought back impressively.
With eight minutes to go, it was game on.
Late Drama, But No Equaliser
The final minutes were packed with drama and tension. India pushed for the equaliser, keeping Australia on the back foot. There were half-chances, long balls into the circle, and some dangerous stick work in the midfield that went unpunished. But Australia’s experienced backline held firm, and the clock ran out on India’s comeback.
The final whistle blew with the scoreline reading India 2 – 3 Australia.
Disappointment, yes. But also plenty of pride.
A Loss, But Many Positives
In a sport where margins are razor-thin, this was a loss that still offers reasons for optimism. After a sluggish start, India showed they could go toe-to-toe with one of the world’s top-ranked teams. The ability to respond after being three goals down is a sign of maturity and internal belief.
Deepika, in particular, continues to prove herself as India’s go-to player in pressure moments. Her penalty corner goal was not just about power — it was about timing and presence. Neha’s goal too, from a well-rehearsed set-piece, reflects India’s growing comfort with structured PC routines.
Midfielders like Salima Tete and Navneet Kaur provided energy and control in the second half, while the backline, led by Udita and Nikki Pradhan, regrouped well after the early setbacks.
The Road Ahead
While the result goes down as a defeat, the Indian camp will take heart from the nature of the fightback. In previous years, a 0–3 deficit might have signalled a collapse. Today, it triggered a response — one that nearly earned them a point against an elite side.
The FIH Pro League is designed not just for results, but for development. It offers the Indian women’s team invaluable exposure against high-quality opposition, helping them prepare for bigger goals — especially the 2026 Women’s Hockey World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Coach Schopman will know there are areas to work on — particularly in defensive shape during transitions and tightening the press in the opening quarters. But she will also be encouraged by how the team responded under pressure, how they trusted the system, and how they refused to give up.
This 2–3 loss to Australia will sting, but it also reflects a deeper truth: the Indian women’s hockey team is no longer in the shadows. They are competing, they are growing, and they are gaining the experience needed to take the next leap.
As the Sherniyan move forward in the Pro League campaign, the message is clear — this team has heart, skill, and most importantly, belief. And in international sport, that can take you a long way.