India eliminated after a goalless draw against Australia

The light faded over the Wagener Stadion and so did India’s hopes of making the hockey World Cup semifinals. In a must-win game, an error-strewn Indian women’s team paid the price with a goalless draw against Australia.

While the Salima Tete-led side made an inspired run into the second round, this phase exposed its chinks as it finished third in Group E. Australia pipped India on the basis of more goals scored to reach the last-four stage.

For India, chance creation in field play was found lacking as its goalless run extended to three games. Even adding an extra outfielder in place of the goalkeeper in the final minutes wasn’t enough to find the elusive goal.

India struggled to play through Australia’s close marking set-up and the theme continued throughout the game, resulting in turnovers in key areas of the pitch. Luck seemingly was with India, though, after Australia had two goals ruled out for dangerous play. Inside 90 seconds, Grace Stewart swept home from close range after a deflection off Sushila Chanu’s thigh, but the TV umpire deemed it high enough to overrule it.

Australia found a lot of joy down the right side with Amy Lawton managing two reverse-hits, which needed saves from Savita Punia and Bichu Devi in the opening two quarters. A more ruthless Australia could have punished India heavily from the turnovers.

In the third quarter, Stephanie Kershaw was in shock when another goal was ruled out from an Australian PC. India improved in the final quarter by beating Australia’s press to reach the final 25, but lacked the composure and creativity to get into good goal-scoring areas.

India defended a flurry of PCs in the final stretch to keep itself alive but couldn’t find the answers in front of goal. India will now figure in the fifth-sixth classification match.