C’Wealth Games: Australians dash a billion hopes in hockey

By Mihir Vasavda

In the end, it was a victory for professionalism over romance, for a disciplined defence over a hopeful attack. It was to be the moment of the Delhi Games for the hosts. But Indian hockey team’s remarkable collapse left everyone gasping.

Australians are not known to be sentimental. And they saved their ruthless best for the last, demolishing India 8-0 in a one-sided final to retain the gold and shatter the dreams of a billion Indians to see their team win the title.

In fact, so pitiless were Australia that they buried India’s remote chances in 20 minutes of precision in the first period, when they slotted in four goals. The task was always going to be daunting for India. They have not managed to beat a full-strength Australia side in seven years and have lost with big margins two times already this year.

In an attempt to bury their demons, they were quick to get off the blocks. A good, solid spell of quick passing and continuous attacks from both the flanks in the first 20 minutes raised the expectations of the 20,000-strong crowd. Despite all the pressure, though, India just couldn’t score.

“We tried and tried but couldn’t get the final ball right. That left all of us disappointed and we lost concentration after 15 minutes,” said midfielder Arjun Halappa.

Australia played like machines. They took in all the pressure and waited for their chance. And when they got one, it almost became certain what the result was going to be. Jason Wilson made the most of – what India coach Jose Brasa called stupid – defending. That opened the floodgates for the world champions. And even before India could blink, they were down by four.

By then, a frenzied crowd was silent. Many of them exited the stadium at half time. While others waited, hoping to see a goal or two from India. But Australia’s solid defence was not to give up so easily. Having killed the contest already, Australia pumped in four more in the second half.

“This has been a tournament where the team has performed at its best. I have no regrets losing to Australia. It has given us a new level of confidence. The players seem to have found the trust in their capabilities and that leaves us in a very good frame of mind going into the Asian Games. This has been India’s tournament,” Brasa said.