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The Indian women's hockey team had to face heartbreak after their 0-3 in the shoot-out to four-time champions Australia in the Commonwealth Games on Saturday (August 6) morning. Both the teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time in the match to decide who would play England in the final. But the highlight was a referee error that virtually ended India's chances of gold in hockey.
After holding the defending champions to 1-1 in regulation time, Australia's Ambrosia Malone missed her first attempt for Australia but the umpires gave her a second chance as the clock didn't start on time. Kaitlin Nobbs and Amy Lawton were the other scorers for the Hockeyroos in the shoot-out.
And for India, Lalremsiami, Neha Goyal and Navneet Kaur missed their first three attempts to end their hopes of a gold medal.
India start strong
Earlier, Australia took the lead in the 10th minute through Rebecca Greiner before Vandana Katariya equalised for India in the 49th minute. The Indians, who are yet to concede a goal in the tournament, defended in numbers to keep their clean sheet.
The side made an attacking start and had the first chance in the eighth minute but Australia survived a close shave. The defending champions then took the lead in the 10th minute, courtesy of a defensive lapse from India as Greiner deflected in Ambrosia Malone's cross.
In the second quarter, the Australians put pressure on the Indian defence from the start but the Savita Punia-led side maintained their structure.
Savita Punia plays captain's game
Goalkeeper Savita made many important saves to keep his team in the game. A minute into the final quarter, she once again came to India's rescue to keep out Stephanie Kershaw's try.
Just one goal behind, the Indians did not lose heart and kept attacking the Australian defence which wilted for the first time in the competition in the 49th minute when Vandana Katariya neatly deflected Sushila Chanu's defence-splitting free hit from outside the circle to level the scores.
A minute from the hooter Australia secured two more penalty corners but Savita made a fine double save from the first attempt as the Indians defended out of their skin to take the match into a shoot-out.
But it turned out to be anti-climactic for India in the shoot-out, while Australia converted all their chances to set up a show-down against hosts England in the final after the hosts beat New Zealand 2-0 in a shoot-out with the scores 0-0 in regulation time.
India will now take on New Zealand in the bronze medal match on Sunday.
