Australia blank India 5-0 in tri-nation hockey

After dominating for most part of the game, Australia blanked India 5-0 in the second leg match of the tri-nation tournament here. India though played good hockey, especially in the second half, the team’s forwards failed to move the board.

Kieran Govers set the pace for the hosts

scoring in the 9th minute off Australia’s first penalty corner. He then went on to add another goal to his and team’s kitty by hitting the last of the four goals in the first half (32nd min).

In between Timothy Deavin (21st min) and Russel Ford (25th min) kept the scorer busy. Aran Zalewski, who is from Margret River area, a suburb of Burnbury, made his international debut memorable on his home turf as he scored the lone goal of the second half (57th min) for the hosts.

Indians were a bit rusty and slow to begin with, while the Aussies went into the business straight away. However, the visitors fought back well in the second half when they not only defended well but also came close to scoring on a number of occasions.

Indian defence did well to withstand the continuous pressure from the faster and fitter Australian forwards in the second half.

Team appeals to FIH

New Delhi: The Indian team management on Monday filed an appeal with the international hockey federation (FIH) against the suspensions imposed on five members of the side for their role in the ugly showdown with Pakistani players during a match in Australia last week.

Midfielder Gurbaj Singh, forwards Gurvinder Singh Chandi and Tushar Khandkar, assistant coach Jugraj Singh and the team’s exercise physiologist David John, who was the stand-in manager, were handed bans by tournament director Graham Napier for their involvement in the skirmish with Pakistani players in the match.

“As per the norm, we have asked chief coach (Michael) Nobbs and Hockey India CEO Elena Norman, who is with the team, to file an appeal against the bans to FIH and they have already sent it,” a HI source said.

“The decision (of the tournament director) was completely biased. It is the Pakistani players who started it all. They instigated our players. The player who hit Gurbaj with the stick went scot-free. We feel we have a strong case at hand,” he added.