Hobart, February 25 The Indian men's hockey team ended a long losing streak in the FIH Pro League, defeating world No. 3 Australia 3-1 in a shootout after both sides were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time, here on Wednesday.
The match was a close contest between the two teams in the first three quarters, which ended in a 0-0 draw, but the Indian win in their final game of the Hobart leg of the Pro League should be a confidence booster for the team.
Australia finally took the lead in the 49th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Jeremy Hayward.
However, the home team's joy was short-lived as Shilanand Lakra (51st) scored a fine field goal two minutes later to level the score.
After this, both teams tried hard to score the decisive goal, but failed, and the match went into a shootout, where India emerged victorious, earning two points, while Australia secured one point.
In the shootout, Lakra, Maninder Singh, and Vishnukant Singh scored for India, while Australia's lone goal was scored by Hayward. India's goalkeeper, Mohith Shashikumar Honnenahalli, produced a superb performance.
After a disappointing Pro League leg in Rourkela, where India had lost all four matches, India had started the Hobart leg with a loss.
India had lost 0-2 to Spain in the first leg match before losing 4-5 in a shootout against Australia following a 2-2 draw.
India then lost 3-4 in a shootout against Spain in the return leg after a tense 1-1 draw on Tuesday.
India are currently ranked eighth in the nine-team competition, having earned only four points from eight matches.
India will next play against the Netherlands and Germany in the Rotterdam leg, starting with a match against the hosts on June 21.
