Hockey News: Australia beat India 5-4, Akashdeep Singh scores a hat-trick

Within the regulation time, Lachlan Sharp in the 5th minute, Nathan Ephraums in the 21st minute, Tom Craig in the 41st minute and Blake Govers in the 57th and 60th minute were the goalscorers for Australia. 

In contrast, Akashdeep Singh scored in the 10th, 27th and 59th minutes to complete a hat-trick, and Harmanpreet Singh in the 31st minute scored for India.

Both teams were in excellent form during the opening match, with nine goals scored within regulation time in Adelaide.

Australia began the match aggressively, discovering its rhythm in the very first quarter of the game. The home side opened the scoring in the 5th minute as Tom Craig slotted the ball into the net after receiving a pass from Lachlan Sharp.

Just three minutes later, Akashdeep Singh leveled the score for India on the attack following a good tackle by Dilpreet Singh.

Australian midfielder Tom Craig created another golden opportunity in the 21st minute, allowing Nathan Ephraums to slot the ball past Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak to regain the lead for Australia.

Akashdeep Singh burst into action and scored another goal in the 27th minute to equalise the score again. The first half ended with both squads tied 2-2.

The Indian squad carried on with their winning momentum in the second half, and India immediately earned a penalty corner. Harmanpreet Singh took the shot and made it 3-2 for India. However, Australia bounced back soon after as Tom Craig fired the ball into the net in the 41st minute.

Australia took complete control of the game in the final quarter as the Indian side was pushed into making uncharacteristic errors. Blake Govers scored two goals for Australia in the last four minutes of the final quarter, while Akashdeep Singh scored one for India to complete his hat-trick.

The match ended with Australia securing a narrow 5-4 victory over India in the opening match of the tour.

After the loss, India's Chief Coach Graham Reid said, "It was a disappointing finish to what was probably a pretty good performance. We let ourselves down at certain stages, specifically in two quarters, but I think we came back well only to unfortunately hand it back to them (Australia) at the end. That is something we have to get better at now."

India and Australia will lock horns again in the second series clash on November 27.