PERTH: The Indian men’s hockey team Wednesday defeated WA Thundersticks 2-0 to start their Australia tour on a positive note at the Perth Hockey Stadium here.
Goals from Birendra Lakra (23rd minute) and Harmanpreet Singh (50th) secured the win for the visitors in their opening match of the tour, where they will also play the Australian national team on May 15 and May 17.
Both the teams played fluently in the first quarter and created a few scoring opportunities.
Debutant Jaskaran Singh got the first real chance for India in the fifth minute but he failed to keep his shot on target.
Thundersticks did try to penetrate India’s defence but failed to get past Harmanpreet and Rupinder Pal Singh, who were rock solid at the back.
Akashdeep Singh also had a shot at goal for India towards the end of the first quarter, but Thundersticks’ goalkeeper Ben Rennie made a fine save to deny the visitors.
India started dominating proceedings in the second quarter with captain Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh both denied by rival goalkeeper Rennie.
But patience finally paid dividend as India took the lead in the 23rd minute through a fine field goal by Lakra. (AGENCIES)
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