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The last time India and Australia clashed in a World Cup – India prevailed 3-2 through a last-minute goal at the 2009 edition in Boston.
But on Sunday, the Jillaroos looked to control the proceedings, though the Indians kept them at bat at least for the first quarter.
The yellow brigade finally breached the resistance of the Indian defence and went ahead through Kathryn Slattery in the 17th minute.
The Aussies did not allow India to orchestrate a fightback strategy as Murphy Allendorf doubled the lead three minutes later to put the onus on their opponents to devise a game-plan to come back into the contest.
India were not fazed by the 0-2 scoreline and made several raids and there were soon rewarded when Anupa Barla – one of the twelve members of the senior team – rattled the Australian cage in the 27th minute to throw up the exciting prospect of a match going right down to the wire.
The Jillaross ensured they maintained a two-goal cushion at half-time as Madison Fitzpatrick made the most of a penalty corner in the 31st minute.
Trailing 1-3 at the break, the Sushila Chanu-led side needed early goals to rebound but it was Australia who scored early in the second half to maintain their tight grip on the game.
The Aussies showed how to make good use of set-pieces as Brooke Peris converted another short corner to make the scoreline 4-1 in the 41st minute.
India looked rattled by the goal and soon their woes were compounded when FIH Young Player of the Year Anna Flanagan converted a penalty stroke in the 46th minute even as the scoreline was showing signs of turning into a rout for India.
Brooke Peris fired her second goal of the match with one minute remaining on the clock as Australia capped off a resounding 6-1 win.
India will now play New Zealand on Sunday – the Black Sticks were in cruise mode on Saturday walloping Russia 10-0.
In other matches of the day, Argentina romped past Canada 4-0. Roberta Werthein scored twice while Agustina Habif and Agustina Albertario completed the tally.
South Africa showed magnificent fighting spirit to fightback after trailing 0-2 at half-time to score a final minute short corner to pull off a 3-3 draw.
Jing Sun and Meng Liu struck for China before the South Africans responded through captain Izelle Lategan and Brand Suleke. Jinrong Zhang scored for China in the second half before Quanita Bobbs spoiled the party of the opposition with a 70th minute strike.
USA rallied to humble Korea 4-1. Tara Vitesse scored twice while Emma Bozek and Anna Dessoye fired for the Americans. Bi Eun Cheon scored for Korea.
Defending champions Netherlands thumped Ghana 10-0.
