India 'A' hockey team did not have an ideal start to its second round of Men's Australian Hockey League as it lost 2-5 to Victoria in a Pool C match here today.
Goals from Chris Ciriello (18, 34 and 49 minutes), James Webster (1 minute) and Aaron Klienschmidt (32 minute) helped the Australians register their first win of Pool C and take three points.
For India, Amit Rohidas (40 and 45 minutes) was the lone player who converted two penalty corners.
Victoria scored their first goal in the opening minute itself through Webster and then kept the pressure on the visitors in the first quarter to keep their lead intact.
Second quarter saw Victoria strike early again as Ciriello extended their lead through a well-taken penalty corner in the 18th minute.
India struggled to make the most of their opportunities as their efforts on goal were kept out by the Victorian defence.
The third quarter saw attacking play from both the teams and four more goals were scored through penalty corners.
It was Klienschmidt who scored first in the 32nd minute to make it 3-0 for Victoria. Then another penalty corner saw Ciriello score his second of the match two minutes later.
At 0-4 down, Rohidas netted the ball through a well- converted penalty corner to open the scoring for the Indians in the 40th minute.
The defender converted his second penalty corner of the match in the 45th minute.
Victoria's Ciriello completed his hat-trick in the 49th minute when he scored through a penalty stroke.
India 'A' will play Queensland in their next match on Friday.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
