India 'A' women's hockey team loses 1-3 to Victoria side

Perth: India 'A' women's team started their campaign in the Australian Hockey League with a defeat on Friday, going down 1-3 to Victoria in a high-quality encounter here. Emily Hurtz (22nd minute), Aisling Utri (41st) and Madi Ratcliffe (55th) struck for Victoria while India's consolation goal was scored by captain Preeti Dubey (47th). Both the teams started the first quarter cautiously. The Indian team was put under pressure early on and Suman Thoudam got a green card for a desperate foul in the fourth minute. However, neither team could produce any goals as scores remained 0-0 after the first quarter. Victoria were quicker off the blocks in the second quarter as they scored a wonderful field goal through Emily Hurtz in the 22nd minute to take a 1-0 lead in the match.