India lose 2-3 to Australia in four-nation hockey opener

Rupinder Pal Singh's brace went in vain as Indian men's hockey team lost 2-3 to hosts Australia in a tense opening game of the four-nation Invitational Tournament in Melbourne yesterday with the first 15 minutes ending in a stalemate, though the Indian team began positively against top-ranked Australia, showing positive intent and energy in the first quarter. 

India managed to gain three successive penalty corners in the second quarter of the match leading 1-0. But the lead was shortlived as as



Jeremy Hayward scored the equaliser for Australia three minutes later. At halftime, the game was beautifully poised at 1-1.

In the third quarter, Australians scored two more goals to surge ahead 3-1. Rupinder brought India back into the game with another penalty corner conversion in the 53rd minute as the match witnessed an engrossing end.But the Australians did enough to deny India any further chance to score an equaliser to pocket the hard-fought win. India will next play Malaysia today.