Rio Olympics: Indian eves suffer crushing 1-6 defeat against Australia in hockey

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Aug.10 (ANI): The chances of the Indian women's hockey team making it to the quarter-finals of the Rio Olympics seemed unlikely after they suffered a crushing 1-6 defeat at the hands of Australia in their third Pool B match here on Wednesday. Australia remained in possession throughout the match, with the women in yellow getting their first goal in the fifth minute of the match via striker Slattery Kathryn, who did not miss the opportunity to convert a penalty corner into the goal. Soon after the opening goal, Australia earned their second penalty corner, but the Sushila Chanu-led side asked for the video referral, which was turned successful and no penalty corner was awarded to the opposition team. In the ninth minute of the match, defender Morgan Georgina doubled her side lead via drag flick to the Indian goalkeeper's right as Australia ended the first quarter with a 2-0 lead against India. In the second quarter, Australia started pushing right away on offensive while India continued to make error in short passes in center-field. Although Australia got yet another penalty corner, it was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Savita Punia. The first half ended with India trailing 0-2. Australia got their third goal through midfielder Jane Claxton in the 35th minute of the match before they capitalized on it and scored the third goal just one minute later. Striker Georgina Parker scored the fourth goal for Australia. Defender Jodie Kenny struck the fifth goal for Australia in the 45th minute to pile further misery on India as the third quarter finished with Sushila's side trailing 0-5. The women in yellow continued to dominate in the final quarter as well, with Kenny scoring another goal for Australia before India's Anuradha Devi Thokchom earned a late consolation to end the match at 1-6. India is currently standing fourth in Group B. They drew 2-2 against Japan before going down to Great Britain 0-3 in their last game. India will play their next Pool B match against USA on August 12. (ANI)