‘I wish India returned at least one goal’

It is half-time at the India vs Australia hockey final at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, but the outcome seems to be a foregone conclusion. Janelle Ladewig from Australia and her friend from New Zealand hurry out to catch the netball final where their two countries are taking on each other for the gold medal.

“I am not waiting for the match to end. We are winning by all means. It has been an awesome match,” says Janelle, who works with the Glenn Family Foundation, on her way out of the stadium. “This was a business trip to India, but I have had so much fun. There have been no security issues here. In fact, the security is so strict and ridiculous that it gets annoying.”

The Aussies left at the Dhyan Chand Stadium on Thursday afternoon continue cheering their team which was in a marauding mood. In fact, after their fifth goal some Australian supporters even egg on the Indian team to return at least one goal.

Ben Ellicott, Jesse O’Neil and others flaunt their blue hats and yellow jerseys with the Australian flag. While Jesse has been to India several times earlier and had no apprehensions about the security arrangements, the others in his group have had no reason to complain since they landed in the Capital.

“I have been to Delhi several times earlier and despite the security scare I knew there would be no problems at all. This stay has been as memorable as all my earlier visits. By now I have travelled all over Agra and all prominent places in Delhi,” said Jesse O’Neil, who works as a pharmacist in Australia. David Herdon, a community worker, is having a good time as he waves at the crowd. “This has been a great match, but I wish India scored at least one goal. I wish I could go for the closing ceremony, but I haven’t managed to get tickets,” he tells Newsline. “The weather is a bit hot for me, but everything else is just superb. I have had a great time so far. The security checks and frisking has been a bit annoying, but I know it is necessary too.”

Matt Graham, an accountant, doesn’t remember the names of the places he has visited, they are difficult to pronounce. “Kanyakumari, Manipal and Darjeeling are some of the places that I can recall,” Matt gushes, as spectators around ask him to pose for a photograph. The match finishes 8-0 in favour of the Aussies, but the photo session continues.