Players celebrate after India’s Dilpreet Singh scored his sides second goal during the FIH Hockey Pro League game between India and Australia at the Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp, Belgium, on June 15, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
The Indian men’s hockey team’s wretched run in the European leg of the FIH Pro League continued as it endured a sixth defeat in a row, losing 3-2 to Australia, here Sunday.
India has already lost matches to Netherlands and Argentina even as all the games were close.
Former India captain Manpreet Singh, who played his 400th match on Sunday, failed to inspire his side despite taking the early lead.
Sanjay (3rd minute) and Dilpreet Singh (36th) scored for India, while Tim Brand (4th), Blake Govers (5th) and Cooper Burns (18th) sounded the board for Australia.
The men’s team will next play Belgium here on June 21.
In London, the women’s team fought on equal terms against Australia but conceded a last-minute goal to lose 2-1. This was India’s second consecutive defeat to Australia.
India took the lead in the third minute through a field goal from Vaishnavi Phalke and maintained the 1-0 lead at half time. But Australia restored parity in the 37th minute through Amy Lawton.
The match was heading towards a draw but Lexie Pickering scored the winner from a penalty-corner variation in the 60th minute to break Indian hearts.
The men will next play Belgium in Antwerp on June 21 while the women go up against Argentina in London on Tuesday.
The results:
Men: At Antwerp: Australia 3 (Tim Brand 4, Blake Govers 5, Cooper Burns 18) bt India 2 (Sanjay 3, Dilpreet Singh 36).
Women: At London: Australia 2 (Amy Lawton 37, Lexie Pickering 60) bt India 1 (Vaishnavi Phalke 3).
Published – June 16, 2025 02:21 am IST
