India failed to celebrate its Diwali in distant Busselton on Wednesday. They handed over the job of fireworks — hallmark of the Indian festival of Lights — to the hosts, as if to enlighten themselves on how to score and defend.
Playing first time in full strength, Australia came out with a goal blitzkrieg that could never be replied by their rival.
Australia indeed never allowed India to dominate the proceedings.
PR Sreejesh, otherwise seemed to have better off forwards, had to be subdued today with his own form and the way the defence opened up.
Usual captain Bharat Chetri was rested, with Ignace Tirkey taking over the mantle of captaincy.
Ignace was not played till now, so also Gurwinder Chandi. Both have played for the first time in the tour, and they were obviously rusty.
Sandeep Singh and Juvraj Walmiki are the two others not considered for the Final 18 out of the 22
-member squad that is touring here.
Its only second time in Indian history that India concedes 8 goals in a match, first time being last year’s Commonwealth Games final against the same Kookaburras
THE GOAL SCORERS
8 (Min), Kieran Goers, 0-1 Fg
12(Min), Danish Mujtaba, 1-1 Fg
15 (Min), Des Abbot, 2-1 Fg
21 (Min), Chris Ciriello, 3-1 PCg
27 (Min), Kieran Govers, 4-1 PCg
32 (Min), SV Sunil, 4-2 Fg
35 (Min), Chris Ciriello, 5-2 PC
39 (Min), Des Abbot, 6-2 FG
59 (Min), Glenn Turner, 7-2 Fg
66 (Min), Danish Mujtaba. 7-3 Fg