Victoria, Nov 29: A brace from striker Affan Yousuf and a goal from captain V.R. Raghunath helped India edge past Australia 3-2 to open their two-match hockey series here on Tuesday.
The two teams had previously met in a pulsating encounter at the Four Nations Invitational Tournament and there was no drop in quality even in the series opener here.
The second half had a completely different look as India looked happy to sit back, and take Australia on the counter.
Australia on the other hand were incisive and precise, and drew themselves level via goals from Matthew Willis (36th minute) and Trent Mitton (43rd minute).
Within a minute of the equaliser though, India won a penalty corner, and from the subsequent attempt, Raghunath made no mistake to put his team back in the lead.
The two teams went at each other in the final quarter, India cautious but not too defensive so as to risk an equaliser. The visitors held on for the victory and took a 1-0 lead in the series.
IANS