FIH Pro League: India Fall Short Against Australia In Penalty Shootout Drama

Last Updated:February 22, 2026, 15:55 IST

Indian men's hockey team lose to Australia in a FIH Pro League penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw, with Amit Rohidas and Jugraj Singh scoring.

The Indian men’s hockey team displayed a much-improved performance but still fell to formidable Australia in the penalty shootout of their FIH Pro League game on Sunday, February 22.

The two teams were tied at 2-2 after full time, with Amit Rohidas (15th) and Jugraj Singh (43rd) giving India the lead before Joel Rintala’s brace (47th, 56th) brought Australia level.

In the shootout, Australia emerged victorious with a 5-4 scoreline.

This defeat to Australia came after India had already suffered five successive losses in the FIH Pro League this year, including four in the home leg in Rourkela. They had lost to Spain 0-2 in their first game of the Hobart leg on Saturday, February 21.

Australia dominated possession in the opening exchanges, pushing India back into their own half. But India remained solid and applied pressure on Australia, forcing Jed Snowden into action on multiple occasions.

India earned a penalty corner late in the first quarter, which Rohidas converted with a drag-flick to give them a 1-0 lead.

The second quarter saw end-to-end action, with both teams creating opportunities. Australia had 10 circle penetrations and two penalty corners in the first half as they sought an equaliser.

India had nine circle penetrations, causing problems for the opposition on the counter-attack. The visitors remained firm at the back, maintaining their one-goal advantage at half-time.

Australia continued to dominate possession after the restart, but the Indian defence stayed resolute, preventing the hosts from creating clear-cut chances.

India doubled their lead when Jugraj converted a powerful drag-flick from a penalty corner to close out the third quarter.

Australia reduced the deficit early in the fourth quarter with Rintala’s goal from a penalty corner.

With momentum on their side, Australia earned another penalty corner in their pursuit of an equaliser. But they were denied by Yashdeep Siwach’s crucial block on the line.

With time running out, Australia levelled the score from a set-piece, with Rintala scoring his second goal from a penalty corner four minutes before the final hooter.

Australia searched for a winning goal and had two chances to clinch the match. But Mohith was exceptional in goal, making brilliant saves, including a brilliant double save, to keep India in the game.

With the score tied at 2-2 after full time, the game went into a shootout to determine the winner. It was an intense shootout with both teams converting their first four penalties.

But Aditya Arjun Lalage was denied by Snowden on the final penalty, giving Australia a hard-fought victory over India in this enthralling game.

India will next face Spain in their third match of the Hobart leg on Tuesday.

(With PTI Inputs)

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