Opening night blues: India thrashed 8-3 by Australia

Australia ripped apart the Indian defence to hand the visitors a 8-3 bashing in the opening match of the double leg Tri-Nation hockey tournament here on Wednesday.

Australia blew away the Indian team with some great field manoeuvres and penalty corner drills. Australians scored freely with Kieran Govers, Desmond Abbot and Chris Ciriello netting a brace each while Eddie Ockenden and Glenn Turner added a goal each to the total.

The Indians tried to make a comeback with goals from Danish Mujtaba (12th and 66th minute) and S V Sunil (32nd) but it was too little, too late.

It was a troublesome night for the visitors, whose defence is a huge let down, especially when it comes to defending the penalty corners. Australian penalty corner specialist Ciriello led the victory march for the hosts, giving Australia a 5-2 lead at half time.

Danish punched another goal five minutes before the hooter but by then the visitors’ fate was already sealed.

Next up: Pakistan

India play arch-rivals Pakistan — the third team in the tournament, which will be played here and the suburb of Bunbury — in their second game on Friday with the ranking matches scheduled for November 3 in Perth.