Australia beat India 2-1 in Women's Hockey friendly opener in Perth
Synopsis
India led through Navneet Kaur's first-quarter penalty corner but were pegged back by two Abby Wilson strikes in the second half, losing 2-1 to Australia in Perth. With the FIH Women's Nations Cup on the horizon, the Salima Tete-led side has three more matches to iron out their defensive lapses against the Hockeyroos.
Key Takeaways
Australia defeated India 2-1 in the first match of a four-match friendly series at Perth Hockey Stadium on 26 May 2026 .
Navneet Kaur scored India's goal via a penalty corner in the first quarter .
Abby Wilson scored twice for Australia — in the third and fourth quarters — both from penalty corners.
India are ranked 9th in the FIH World Rankings; Australia are ranked 8th .
The series is part of India's preparations for the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26 .
The second match of the series is scheduled for 27 May 2026 .
Australia's women's hockey team edged India 2-1 in the opening match of a four-match friendly series at the Perth Hockey Stadium on Tuesday, 26 May 2026, with Abby Wilson scoring twice in the second half to complete a comeback win for the Hockeyroos.
How the Match Unfolded
Navneet Kaur gave India the lead in the first quarter, converting a penalty corner to put the visitors ahead early. The Salima Tete-led side held firm through the second quarter, keeping their advantage intact at half-time.
The tide turned after the break. Australia's Abby Wilson capitalised on penalty corner opportunities in both the third and fourth quarters, scoring twice to hand the Hockeyroos a 2-1 comeback victory.
What This Series Means for India
The four-match series is a key component of India's preparations for the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26. The squad, coached by Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne, has spent recent weeks at an intensive training camp at SAI Bengaluru, working on tactical structure, penalty corner variations, and match fitness.
India enter this tour with confidence after a creditable showing in Argentina earlier this year, where they levelled a four-match series 2-2 against the world No. 2 side — having recovered from two early defeats.
Squad Depth and Rankings
The 22-member Indian squad blends experience with emerging talent. Rising players Sonam, Hina Bano, and Lalthantluangi are among those pushing for opportunities. India are currently ranked 9th in the FIH World Rankings, facing hosts Australia who sit one place above at 8th.
Notably, the rankings gap between the two sides is narrow, making this series a competitive test rather than a one-sided warm-up.
What's Next
The two teams meet again on 27 May 2026 for the second fixture of the series. India will look to level the contest and build the momentum they need ahead of the Nations Cup.
Point of View
But Australia, even in a friendly, is a sterner test of tactical discipline. Three matches remain to fix the leaks — and that may just be enough time if the coaching staff acts decisively.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India vs Australia women's hockey match on 26 May 2026?
Australia defeated India 2-1 in the opening match of a four-match friendly series at Perth Hockey Stadium on 26 May 2026. Abby Wilson scored twice in the second half to seal the win after Navneet Kaur had given India an early lead.
Who scored for India and Australia in the first women's hockey friendly?
Navneet Kaur scored for India with a penalty corner conversion in the first quarter. Australia's Abby Wilson scored both goals, capitalising on penalty corner chances in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
Why is the India women's hockey team touring Australia in 2026?
The four-match friendly series in Australia is part of India's preparatory programme for the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup New Zealand 2025-26. The tour provides competitive match practice ahead of the major tournament.
What are India's recent results before the Australia tour?
India performed creditably in Argentina earlier in 2026, levelling a four-match series 2-2 against the world No. 2 side after losing the first two matches. The squad also completed a high-intensity training camp at SAI Bengaluru under Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne.
When is the next India vs Australia women's hockey match?
The second match of the four-match friendly series is scheduled for 27 May 2026 at Perth Hockey Stadium.
