Perth, April 30 (NationPress) Following two matches against the Australia A team, the Indian women’s hockey squad is gearing up to challenge the senior team in a series of three friendlies at the Perth Hockey Stadium starting May 1. The team aims to enhance their performance after facing two defeats in their earlier games against Australia A.

In their opening match, India displayed commendable effort but ultimately succumbed to a 3-5 defeat against the Australia A squad. The hosts surged ahead early, netting four goals in the first half. Although India managed to narrow the gap, they failed to recover in the remaining quarters. Goals for India were scored by Mahima Tete (27’), Navneet Kaur (45’), and Lalremsiami (50’), while Australia A's goals came from Neasa Flynn (3’), Olivia Downes (9’), Ruby Harris (11’), Tatum Stewart (21’), and Kendra Fitzpatrick (44’).

In the subsequent match, India faced a narrow 2-3 loss. India opened the scoring with a goal from Jyoti Singh (13’), but Australia A quickly equalized with goals from Evie Stansby (17’), Dayle Dolkens (48’), and Jamie-Lee Surha (52’). Although India managed another goal from Sunelita Toppo (59’), they fell short of equalizing.

The 26-member squad, under the captaincy of Salima Tete and vice captain Navneet Kaur, is now set to face a tougher challenge against the senior Australian team in the upcoming matches. In their last encounter, India secured a 1-0 victory during the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023–24 and aims to replicate that success.

Reflecting on the team’s performance thus far, chief coach Harendra Singh remarked, "In both matches, we conceded some soft goals, which was disappointing, but overall, we have been competitive. This series is a test; it’s not just about winning or losing, but gaining valuable experience.”

“Several players are participating internationally for the first time. I am providing opportunities for the youngsters to prepare them as the next generation,” he added.

Harendra also outlined the team's strategy for the upcoming matches, stating, "In the first two games, many players had their chances, and now we will explore the best combinations. This will help us identify players ready for the upcoming Pro League matches in Europe. Our goal is for the new players to play a minimum of 35 matches before the World Cup next year.”

Discussing the young talents, the coach noted, "Everyone is giving their all, and there is healthy competition within the squad. One standout player is Mahima Tete, who is agile, quick, and shows great potential. The same goes for Pooja, Sujata, Ajmina, and others. Each player is dedicated and eager to learn. The focus is on playing straightforward hockey and gaining experience against formidable opponents like Australia," he concluded.