Indian eves win 3-Nations hockey tournament despite loss to Australia in final game

Indian junior women's team tasted its first loss of competition on Sunday, going down 1-2 to hosts Australia in fourth match but still won 3-Nations hockey tournament after finishing top of points table. India had seven points from four matches, ahead of hosts Australia on goal difference, with New Zealand finishing third with only three points from ir four matches. In final match, Gagandeep Kaur scored solitary goal for India in 53rd minute to cancel out Abigail Wilson's 15th-minute strike. However, Australian youngster scored yet again in 56th minute to give her team a 2-1 win.

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It was a difficult first period for Indian team as y were constantly put under pressure by hosts. visitors had some chances of ir own inside first 15 minutes but y make most of it.  In 15th minute, Australia were awarded a Penalty Corner, and it was Abigail Wilson who stepped up for hosts to make it 1-0. India tried to make up ground in second quarter, but some resolute defending by home team meant that visitors could t equalize inside second quarter. 

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Indians had a Penalty Corner in 22nd minute, but could t force it on target. Ar Penalty Corner came India's way in 26th minute but Australia's Hannah Astbury made a diving save to help her team retain ir one-goal lead.  Two minutes later, Australia had a glorious chance of extending ir lead to two goals through a Penalty Stroke, but India's Goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam made a fine save to keep score down to 0-1 at half-time break. Both teams had chances through Penalty Corners in third period, but some good defending by both sides meant that outcome of match would be decided in last period. India had a couple of Penalty Corners in third period but were denied by Australia's Astbury.

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However, start of fourth quarter was different for India as y put hosts under pressure from start, and that resulted in visitors winning mselves a Penalty Corner in 53rd minute.  It was Gagandeep who stepped up to take execution and scored past Astbury to equalize for India.  But India could t stay on level terms for too long as three minutes later, it was Australia's Abigail who scored her second goal of match through a Penalty Corner to snatch a 2-1 lead.  India tried to equalize for second time during remaining four minutes, but could t make most of ir chances as Australia registered a 2-1 win. 

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