The Indian hockey team defeated Australia for the second time in three days by winning the penalty shoot-out in the second leg of the FIH Pro League 2022-23 match in Rourkela on Wednesday.
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Both the teams were tied 2-2 during the regular time. Experienced goalkeeper PR Sreejesh performed brilliantly in the shootout, which India won 4-3. With their fourth consecutive win at the Birsa Munda Stadium, the Indian team consolidated their position at the top of the table of the FIH Pro League 2022-23.
Meanwhile, Vivek Sagar Prasad (2nd minute) and Sukhjeet Singh (47th) scored for India in regulation time. While Nathan Ephraums (37th and 52nd minutes) scored both goals for Australia. Captain Harmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet, and Dilpreet Singh scored goals in the shoot-out as India ended their home campaign on a high note at the FIH Pro League 2022-23. Earlier, India beat world champions Germany 3-2 and 6-3, while they beat fourth-ranked Australia 5-4 in the first-leg match on Sunday.
India started brightly and earned a penalty corner in the second minute. Captain Harmanpreet's powerful drag-flick was cleared off the pads by Australia's keeper Johan Durst. But Vivek Sagar Prasad scored brilliantly on the rebound. Vivek was playing his 100th match for India. On the other hand, after a goalless second quarter, Australia finally made a breakthrough. Nathan Ephraums converted a penalty stroke in the 37th minute.
Also Read: Most goals in FIH Pro League 2022
In the 47th minute of the match, Sukhjeet scored a field goal to give India the lead again. But an inadvertent foul by an Indian defender in the 52nd minute earned Australia a crucial penalty corner, which they cleverly converted. With the score tied 2-2 at the end of regular time, experienced goalkeeper PR Sreejesh scored for India. He proved once again as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the shootout.