Friday, February 20, 2009

Indian hockey team lose both matches to Australian development squad

BRISBANE: The Indian hockey team suffered their second straight defeat at the hands of the Australian Development squad when they were beaten 2-5 at the State Hockey Centre on Wednesday.

The Aussies scored through Hotchkis Daniel (14th), Geoffrey Cock (18th), Liam de Young (21st), Jason Wilson (53rd) and Mark Patterson (61st min).

Shivendra Singh (10th) and Sandeep Singh (46th min) found the mark for India.

The Australian Development squad is coached by Ric Charlesworth, who had a bitter relationship with the Indian hockey team as its consultant.

India won their first two matches against Australian state teams. They lost 3-5 to the Australian Development squad Tuesday, before going down 2-5 Wednesday.

India's coach in-charge Harendra Singh was disappointed with the team's overall performance and said the defence needed to be bolstered.

India trailed 1-3 at half time. India shot into the lead when Shivendra deflected home from Sandeep Singh's shot past goalkeeper George Bazeley.

Australia equalised four minutes later in identical fashion as Daniel put it past Baljit Singh after being set up by medio Jonathan Charlesworth.

Cock got the lead for the hosts after a goalmouth skirmish. The Aussies further consolidated their position when captain Liam de Young struck to put them 3-1 up.

After the break, Sandeep Singh reduced the margin from a penalty corner conversion.

However Australia came back strongly as they scored twice with Wilson and Patterson shooting past substitute custodian Adrian D'Souza.

India will fly to New Zealand on Thursday where they will play a four Test series against the Kiwis at Wellington and Auckland starting Saturday.

Soruce:http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indian-lose-both-matches-to-Australian-development-squad/articleshow/4151203.cms

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