Nikkin Thimmaiah scored a hat-trick as India stunned world and defending champions Australia to seal their spot for the bronze medal play-off on Sunday. They will now either face South Korea or New Zealand for the bronze medal on Sunday.
Nikkin displayed sheer brilliance on field, creating opportunities while his deflection hit the net thrice in 23rd, 32nd and 60th minute.
Unlike the previous group matches, India, put pressure right from the beginning, earning two back to back penalty corners in the first minute itself. V.R. Raghunath delivered up to the standard as he flicked it on the top right, completely beating the goalkeeper.
Australia, however, managed the equalizer in the same quarter itself after Daniel Beale slightly pushed the ball towards goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh’s left, who tried to block his angle.
With four minutes to go for the first quarter, India failed to take the lead after Nikkin couldn’t convert Gurbaj’s pass.
In the second quarter, unmarked Nikkin got his first goal after standing on the extreme left of the goalkeeper, deflected S.K. Uthappa’s cross from top of the D. In the 32nd minute, Nikkin scored his second in a similar fashion, this time off a move set by Manpreet Singh.
In the fourth quarter, Australia went on the attacking spree and after several attempts pulled one goal down in the 53rd minute after Matt Godhes deflected a cross off Nicholas Budgeon.
However, star of the day Nikkin Thimmaiah, in a one-one situation, sealed India’s win after hammering his third goal, fourth for the team in the 60th minute.
India will now play South Korea for the bronze medal playoff on Sunday.