This is India’s third defeat against Australia in a CWG final, having lost to them in the 2010 and the 2014 editions of the Games.
Salima Tete, who has been in terrific form and is known for electrifying runs down the flanks, will need to play the linking role.
The tournament begins with the match between co-hosts Spain and Canada in Terrassa, Spain.
Belgium are close on the heels of India with 22 points from 14 matches and the Savita Punia-led Indian side would be eyeing to sign off the campaign with wins over the Americans to finish a creditable third.
Indian hockey has shown signs of a heart-warming resurgence, with the men winning a bronze and the women finishing a valiant fourth in the Tokyo Games recently.
Earlier on Sunday, Odisha defeated Le Puducherry 9-0 in Pool C. Paulus Lakra (18′, 29′, 43′, 49′, 53′, 59′) starred with six goals, while Deepak Minz (10′), Rosan Kujur (13′) and Akash Soreng (35′) scored one goal each.
Riya (13′) and Sejal (39′) scored a goal each to help Hockey Haryana successfully defend the title in what was a thrilling 2-0 win for the team.
HI Junior Men National Championship: Earlier in the final match on Saturday, Hockey Bihar defeated Hockey Arunachal 10-2 in Pool G.
In the absence of Rani Rampal, who is still recovering from an injury in Bengaluru, Savita will continue to lead the side, while defender Deep Grace Ekka will be her deputy in the two-leg tie against Spain on February 26 and 27.
The Indian team has been showered with accolades since returning home following a bronze medal-winning feat at Tokyo, a medal that broke India’s 41-year-old jinx at the Olympics.
The coach said that he had instilled a forward-looking mentality among players, which helped when the chips were down against Germany. India were trailing 1-3, but struck back to win 5-4 for the bronze.
The 19-year-old made several brilliant runs during the tournament and put pressure on the opposition to create many goal-scoring opportunities. Sharmila also scored a goal in India’s Pool stage match against Great Britain.
The year 2022, is set to be huge for Women’s Football in India as India are also to play host to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup from October 2022 onwards.
The family of Katariya, who scored four goals during the Olympics, found itself at the receiving end of allegedly casteist slurs from few people in their neighbourhood in Haridwar after the team lost the semi-final clash against Argentina on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was unsuccessful with all her drag-flicks in the qualification stage of the competition, adding to the worries of her team and coach Sjoerd Marjijne.
The Indian team lost to Great Britain in a tight contest for the bronze medal on Friday.
Nevertheless, it secured its best-ever finish, ending the Games in the fourth position. The team had already created history and surpassed all expectations by entering the semifinals of the Olympics for the first time.
The Indian team went down fighting against Great Britain 3-4 at the Oi Hockey Stadium. With this loss, the Indian women’s team finished fourth while team Great Britain captured their third consecutive Olympic medal.
The history-making Indian women’s hockey team, which had already surpassed all expectations by entering the semifinals of the Games for the first time, signed off with a fourth place finish after going down to Great Britain 3-4 in the bronze medal play-off.
