A lacklustre India start their campaign in the women's junior hockey World Cup on a disappointing note, losing 1-6 to formidable Australia in a Pool C match here today.
Australia were by far the dominant side today and scored through Kathryn Slattery (17th minute), Murphy Allendorf (20th), Madison Fitzpatrick (31st), Brooke Peris (41st, 69th) and Anna Flanagan (46th). Anupa Barla (27th) scored the lone goal for India.
India will take on New Zealand in their second pool match tomorrow.
The Indians started the match on a bright note and managed to deny the mighty Aussies any early inroads.
It took Australia 17 minutes to breach India's citadel when Slattery scored from a field effort.
Australia doubled their lead three minutes later through Allendorf before Anupa Barla pulled one back for the Indians in the 27th minute.
But four minutes later Fitzpatrick converted a penalty corner to make the halftime scoreline to 3-1 in favour of Australia.
Australia asserted their supremacy after the change of ends and converted another penalty corner in the 41st minute through Peris to extend their lead.
Barring the first 15 minutes, the Indians looked ordinary and played catch-up hockey for most part of the match.
Australia made the scoreline 5-1 soon through FIH Young Player of the Year, Flanagan who neatly converted a penalty stroke.
Peris rounded off the tally for Australia scoring her second goal of the day in the penultimate minute of the match.
Meanwhile, in the other Pool C match of the day, New Zealand crushed Russia 10-0.
