Australia decimate India in Tri-Nation hockey

BUSSELTON: 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.

In what turned out to be a nightmare of an outing for the Indian team on Diwali night, Australia blew away the Indian team with some great field manoeuvres and penalty corner drills.

Australians scored freely against a clueless Indian defence with Kieran Goers, Desmond Abbot and Chris Ciriello netting a brace each while Eddie Ockenden and Glenn Turner added a goal each to the total.

Indians though tried to make a comeback with goals from Danish Mujtaba (12th and 66th minute) and SV Sunil (32nd minute), but it turned out to be too little and 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 Chris Ciriello, who is facing a stiff competition in the squad with the return of Luke Doerner, led the victory march much to the chagrin of the Indians.

Danish Mujtaba and SV Sunil narrowed the Australian score with a goal apiece in the first half, but Ciriello cancelled them out in 25th and 35th minute.

The match went into the lemon break with Australia leading 5-2.

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

Pakistan is the third team in the tri-nation tournament, which will be played here and Bunbury – Perth’s South Side tourist resorts.

India will be up against Pakistan on Friday. The ranking matches will be played at Perth on November 3.