India beaten again in
four-nation tournament

India went out of the reckoning in the four-nation Rabobank Classic hockey tournament after crashing 1-3 to Australia in Amsterdam on Saturday.

With their second consecutive defeat, after losing 2-5 to Holland in the opener on Thursday, India are now out of the race for a top two finish while Australia, who played a 2-2 draw with Korea in their first match, hang in hoping to play in the final.

The Aussies were first off the blocks and Andrew Smith had a clear chance in the fourth minute but Indian goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan used his pads to bring off a smart save.

The Indians regrouped in midfield and gained possession but a superb move by Dhanraj Pillay and Prabhjot Singh was wasted by the latter.

Four minutes later, in the 15th minute, India surged ahead through Prabhjot Singh.

Australia fought back and a few minutes later drew level, with Andrew Smith rounding off a smart move to find the net.

The lead could have come India's way again in the 52nd minute but Prabhjot's shot hit the Aussie goalkeeper on the chest.

Looking for a goal, the Indian defence started moving forward. But that resulted in gaps at the back which was taken advantage off by Jamie Dwyer.

In the 66th minute, another defensive lapse led to the third goal and the second for Andrew Smith, whose move with Mike McCann saw Devesh Chauhan beaten by the shot.