Press Trust of India
Ranchi, Nov 24: Forward Akashdeep Singh’s blinder in the dying moments of the game helped India edge past Australia 3-2 in the final hockey Test here Monday but the hosts ended up losing the series when they faltered in the deciding penalty shoot-out.
India played a gritty game against the reigning World Champions to steal a worthy win in the third and final match after drawing the opening Test and then losing out in the second.
With the score reading 3-2 at the final whistle, the match moved into the penalty shoot-out to decide the winner of the series, which was tied at 1-1. The shoot-out saw a reverse of the match score as Australia won it 3-2.
The match started with the first quarter ending goalless. India drew first blood in the second quarter when VR Raghunath converted a penalty corner to give India the lead. Raghunath has been India’s best man in the series with three goals
Australia equalised through Trent Mitton’s 36th minute field goal which was his first successful strike of the series. But then Rupinder Pal Singh restored India’s lead in the 42nd minute by converting a penalty corner, which was the drag-flicker’s 50th international goal.
The last five minutes were hectic with Mitton again restoring parity for India before Akashdeep scored with a brilliant solo effort.
Birendra Lakra and Rupinder from India scored in the shoot-out, while Sardar Singh, Akashdeep and Raghunath missed. Daniele Beale, Matt Gohdes and Chris Ciriello scored for Australia in the shoot-out.
