Australia trounce India 5-2

Prabhjot Singh

Australia handed out a hockey lesson to the hosts in the 2010 Commonwealth Games at the Major Dhyan Chand national Stadium here this evening.

The 5-2 win of the Australians today reminded many in the stands of a similar defeat the Kangaroos had inflicted on India in the last World Cup at the same venue earlier this year.

After getting two goals on a platter in the first three minutes of a crucial pool “A” match, Australia survived some anxious moments and five penalty corners to hold on to narrow 2-1 lead at the lemon break. But once the teams changed ends, India virtually gave in, conceding three goals before getting a last minute reprieve through penalty corner conversion by Sandeep Singh. Undeterred by the two early reverses, India did try to stage a come back with some brilliant hockey in the remainder of the first half but missed chances, poor finish and inability to convert penalty corners prevented them from coming out of the “Oz phobia” that virtually marred their play in the second half.

Incidentally, it was the second time the two teams have met since hockey was introduced in the games in 1998. In 1998 and today, India lost by identical 2-5 margin. Yesterday, Indian women had lost to the Australians 1-2.

Australia looking for the fourth consecutive gold in men’s hockey since 1998 could not have asked for a better start. A defence lapse in the seciond minute saw Des Abbot getting past Bharat Chhetri in the Indian goal with a powerful reverse flick. In fact, Australia almost started with a goal in the first minute but skipper Jymie Dwyer’s attempt flew yards away from the goal.

Before India could recover from the first goal, Trent Mitton made it 2-0 by intercepting a free hit from outside the circle and caught Chhetri in hopeless situation. Playing before a packed stadium, Indian players made a concerted effort to get back into the match.

Well coordinated moves by the forward line saw Tushar Khandekar putting Dharamvir Singh (of Chandigarh) in possession who got past experienced Nathan Burgers in the Australian goal with an angular shot from the top of the circle. With score reading 1-2, Indians did try to put their best foot forward by mounting tremendous pressure earning five penalty corners.