Ruthless Aussies pulverise India 8-0
Prabhjot Singh
Defending champions Australia by drubbing the hosts 8-0 not only completed a rare a golden hat-trick of title triumphs in a calendar year today but also revived the wounds inflicted by Pakistan upon India in a similar title match played at the same historic Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium 28 years ago.
Intriguingly, Prime Ministers do not bring luck to Indian hockey team, especially when it is playing a title match.
And like 1982 when India lost the gold medal match 1-7 to Pakistan in the presence of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, today it was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to witness India undergoing a similar humiliating defeat.
Unfortunately, on both the occasions – in 1982 and today – the blame for the crushing defeats went mainly to goalkeepers – Mir Ranjan Negi in the Asiad final and Bharat Chhetri for the 2010 Commonwealth Games final. They did let in some goals that many in stands thought could have been saved.
Australians, displaying maturity and acumen of a world champion team, virtually ran over India in every department of the department pulverising both offence and defence with assured certainty. Richard Charlesworth, who had been sent back by India in a humiliating manner more than a year ago, had the last laugh as he has been the coach of this world champion team.
It was India’s first major final after the 1998 Asian Games and biggest-ever defeat in any title match.
Australia not only completed a hockey double, winning both men and women titles in the hockey competition of the 19th edition of the Games here, but also achieved a rare distinction of winning the World Cup, the Champions Trophy and the Commonwealth games titles within a span of eight months. Besides, it was fourth consecutive gold medal triumph for Australian men in as many appearances in the Games.
New Zealand took the bronze defeating England 5-3 in penalty shoot out after the two teams were locked 3-3 even after 15 minutes of extra time.For England, it was second defeat in penalties as they had lost the semi-final against India on penalties.
Scoring four times in each half, Australia made the castle Indians built in games against Scotland, Pakistan and England, collapse like a mound of sand.
India started well raising hopes of putting up a gallant fight against ruthless Australians who conceded only five goals in the tournament. The start was deceiving after 15 minutes of cohesive and purposeful hockey, India lost the rhythm and the game.
Luke Doerner with two penalty corner conversions in the 34th and 52nd minutes, Jaison Wilson with two brilliant field goals in the 19th and 28th minute, Chris Ciriello with a penalty corner conversion in the 21st minute and brilliant interceptions leading to field goals by skipper Jamie Dwyver in the 66th minute and Glen Turner seconds before the final whistle masterminded the huge win for Aussies.
What could be worse than India muffing up both its penalty corners – the first went abegging as the ball could not be stopped and second Sandeep’s feeble push just crawled to a defender near the goal line for instant clearance.
Except for Sardar Singh in the defence, Arjun Halappa, skipper Rajpal, Tushar Khandekar and halfback Gurbaj Singh did attempt to work out moves but lack of ideas and imagination frustrated their attempts as nothing worked for the home team on a day when the Aussies were on the rampage.
How quickly spectators lost hope and confidence in the home team was reflected by rapidly increasing empty seats after the first session of play from an otherwise packed stadium at the start of the game.