Hours earlier, three-time defending champions Netherlands scored a solid 4-1 win over China, reducing the Asian giants’ goal difference to -3. There was never any need for guesswork going into the match as Netherlands had taken care of all permutations and combinations. That result essentially meant the India-Australia match in Amstelveen was a virtual quarter-final.
Both teams were locked on the same -2 goal difference, but Australia had scored three goals to India’s two. Australia won their semi-final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in a shoot-off, but India had beaten Australia 1-0 in the quarter-final of the Tokyo Olympics. The campaign began with the impressive 2-2 draw against reigning Olympic silver medallists China, and the group stage ended with the hard-fought goalless game against England – both higher ranked opponents. Needing a win, India began on the backfoot though as Australia dominated possession and created a majority of the chances – the Hockeyroos had 10 circle entries to India’s four in the first half.
It meant Australia needed at least a draw while India needed a win to get to the semi-final. And there has not been much to separate the two teams at recent meetings in major tournaments.
In fact, Australia had the ball in the back of the Indian net in their first move at goal. But Grace Stewart’s shot from inside the shooting circle had struck Jyoti too high before it deflected off the Indian defender’s body and into the goal. India took the review and the goal was disallowed for danger. Thereon, Australia worked hard to try and get a goal in a cagey first half that saw India, once again, defend with patience, discipline and dedication. Then in the 40th minute, Australia again had the ball in the back of the Indian net. This time, the referee reviewed it and it was once again deemed dangerous play as Stephanie Kershaw’s shot saw the ball hit the shoulder of an Indian defender before going into goal.
