Indian women's hockey team thrashed 2-5 by Australia

Pakuranga (Auckland), April 19 (IANS) The Indian women's hockey team went down fighting 2-5 to Australia in the second leg of the Women's Four-Nation Hockey Tournament at Lloyd Elsmore Hockey Stadium here Thursday.

The goal scorers for Australia were Jodie Schulz, who converted penalty corners in the 7th and 28th minute, Fiona Boyce (12th), Ashleigh Nelson (51st) and Georgia Nanscawen(60th).

Rani Rampaul (13th minute) and Poonam Rani (penalty corner in the 63rd minute) were on target for India.

Australia took the lead in the seventh minute through a penalty corner direct flick by Schulz and five minutes later Boyce made it 2-0. However India showed great commitment and reduced the margin in the 13th minute when forward Rani scored a brilliant goal from the top of the circle.

In the 28th minute Australia earned another penalty corner and Schulz made no mistake in converting into a goal for the second time.

India made some penetrations at the start of the second half but couldn't find the target.

Australia who led 3-1 at half time scored twice in the second half with fourth goal by Nelson in the 51st minute and fifth goal by Nanscawen at the hour-mark.

India had their moments in the match and tried hard to reduce the margin in the last ten minutes of the game. India earned a penalty corner in the 63rd minute and Poonam deflected a well-directed ball by Asunta Lakra into the nets.

India will now play hosts New Zealand in their pre-classification fixture Saturday.