Perth: The Indian ‘A’ men’s and women’s hockey team did not have an ideal start to their second round of the Australian Hockey League (AHL) here Thursday. The men’s side lost 2-5 to Victoria in a Pool C game while the women went down narrowly 1-2 to Australia.
Goals from Chris Ciriello (18th, 34th and 49th), James Webster (first minute) and Aaron Klienschmidt (32nd)) helped Victoria register an emphatic win. For India, Amit Rohidas (40 and 45 minutes) was the lone player who converted two penalty corners.
Victoria scored their first goal in the opening minute itself through Webster and then kept the pressure on the visitors in the first quarter to keep their lead intact. In the second quarter they struck through Ciriello who converted a penalty corner to extend their lead.
The third quarter saw attacking play from both the teams and four more goals were scored through penalty corners. Klienschmidt made it 3-0 and then Ciriello got his second from a penalty corner to put Victoria 4-0 up.
However, two quick goals by Rohidas in the space of five minutes reduced the scoreline to 2-4. However, Ciriello struck again for the winners to dash India’s hopes.
In the women’s game Shanea Tonkin (13th) and Rachael Frusher (19th) scored for Western Australia while skipper Preeti Dubey pulled one back in the 56th minute.
Press trust of India
