The Indian men's hockey team suffered another agonizing defeat in the FIH Pro League 2024-25, losing 2-3 to Australia on Saturday, June 14, 2025. This marks their fifth consecutive loss in the tournament, continuing a troubling trend of late-game collapses. The match, held at the Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp, Belgium, saw India relinquish a 2-0 lead, adding to the frustration of fans and the team alike.
India started the match with promise, displaying a renewed sense of purpose after a string of disappointing results. Abhishek, who appears to be in strong form this season, scored twice, in the 8th and 35th minutes, giving India a comfortable lead. The team's structure and attacking intent were evident in the first half, raising hopes for a turnaround in their Pro League campaign. However, as has been the case in recent matches, India failed to maintain their momentum.
Australia, known for their resilience and attacking prowess, mounted a strong comeback in the second half. Nathan Ephraums narrowed the deficit in the 42nd minute, setting the stage for a tense final quarter. Joel Rintala then scored in the 56th minute, leveling the score and intensifying the pressure on the Indian team. With just minutes remaining, Tom Craig sealed the victory for Australia with a goal in the 60th minute, completing a remarkable comeback and leaving India to grapple with yet another late-game failure.
The absence of captain and ace drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh was keenly felt by the Indian side. He was rested due to an injury sustained in the previous match against Argentina. His absence impacted India's penalty corner conversions, which have been a recurring issue for the team. Poor penalty corner conversion rate and the tendency to concede late goals have been major factors in India's recent defeats.
Earlier in the European leg of the Pro League, India suffered two narrow losses against the Netherlands (1-2 and 2-3) and two defeats against Argentina (one of which was a close 3-4 loss). These results highlight the team's struggles to maintain consistency and composure throughout the entirety of a match. While they have shown flashes of brilliance, their inability to close out games has been a significant concern.
With this loss, India's position on the FIH Pro League 2024-25 points table remains precarious. They need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and improve their penalty corner conversions to have a chance at a top-three finish. The team will conclude their European leg with two matches against Belgium.
