Double delight for Australia

Navneet Singh, Hindustan Times

Sports is the favourite weekend activity of Perth residents. If they aren’t playing, they are cheering on their favourite team. On Sunday, they had a great reason to celebrate as Australia emerged victorious in both men’s and women’s sections at the Lanco International Super Series nine-a-side hockey tournament. Backed by a holiday crowd, the Aussies first captured the women’s trophy, beating India 4-1, and then won the men’s title by outplaying arch-rivals New Zealand 5-3.

Women begin well

In the women’s final, India made an impressive start by taking a 1-0 lead within the first five minutes. But in the next ten minutes, they lost the initiative. First they let the Australians level the score. And then they allowed them to go 2-1 up.

Australia upped the ante in the second half, pumping in two more goals to make the scoreline 4-1 even though India did most of the running on the pitch.

Men join in too

The men’s final was more keenly fought. Trailing 2-3 in the first half, New Zealand came back in the second to level the score 3-3. With four minutes to go, the Aussies scored one to nudge ahead. And before the final whistle, the hosts slotted in another to make the scoreline 5-3.

Pak beat India

In the men’s third-place play-off, Pakistan made most of the chances to outplay India 4-1.
Initially, the Indian team showed potential to outplay their arch-rivals. But the enthusiasm lasted just five minutes. They lost momentum and the match as well. Australians Simon Orchand and Madonna Blyth were declared player of the series in the men’s and women’s sections respectively.

India’s results

Men: Lose to Pakistan 1-4

Women: Lose to Australia 1-4