Britain outclass fancied Australia

 Great Britain ensured that they added more colour to a memorable day in the history of British sports as they stunned world champions Australia with a 5-2 win in their Pool A game of the Hockey World League Final here at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium on Sunday.

Minutes after Andy Murray had inspired Britain to their first Davis Cup title since 1936, the Dan Fox-led side executed their plans to perfection to record their first win over the Australians in an FIH event since the 1988 Olympics. Britain had beaten Australia in the semifinal then.

Henry Weir was the first one to find the back of the net as he deflected an Ian Sloan cross to beat the Australian goalkeeper Tyler Lovell in the ninth minute. Minutes later, Chris Grassick made it 2-0 with a fierce hit from inside the circle before Jeremy Hayward pulled one back for the Kookaburras from a short corner in the 17th minute.

The early goals had set the tone for what was to come as the British made sure they didn’t let the momentum slip, scoring three more before the final hooter.

Meanwhile in the other game of the day, Belgium rode on a brace from Florent van Aubel to thrash Canada 7-2.

The Belgian side was a class apart as they notched up four early goals in the opening quarter before slotting in another three in the final quarter of the tie.

Dutch test awaits India

After coming up with an improved show against the Olympic champions Germany, the Indian side will be expected to play out of their skins again when they take on the Netherlands in their final group game on Monday.

Starting off on disastrous note against Argentina, the Indians came out all guns blazing against the Germans as they rallied from a goal down to hold the world number three 1-1 on Saturday.

Though the Indians can take heart from the fact that the Germans had just four attempts at the Indian goal as compared to their 12, a misfiring forwardline will the biggest concern for head coach Roelant Oltmans as his side continues its search for the first win of tournament.

Against Germany, India were all over their opponents, out-running and out-muscling them throughout the 60 minutes. Maintaining the same intensity will be Oltmans’ challenge against the defending champions.

Results: Pool A: Great Britain: 5 (Henry Weir 9th minute, Chris Grassick 13th, Ian Sloan 23rd, David Condon 32nd, Phil Roper 49th) bt Australia: 2 (Jeremy Hayward 17th, Matt Gohdes 47th); Belgium: 7 (Sebastian Dockier 9th, Florent van Aubel 12th, 58th, Thomas Briels 13th, Jerome Truyens 14th, Arthur van Doren 50th, Tom Boon 54th) bt Canada: 2 (Mark Pearson 29th, Devohn Noronha Teixeira (29th).

Today’s matches: Pool B: India vs Netherlands (6.30 pm); Germany vs Argentina (8.30 pm).