Champs Aussies fight past India

India put up a valiant fight before going down 2-4 against world champions and title holders Australia in their third group match of the men’s hockey competition at the 20th Commonwealth Games here on Tuesday.

Living upto their reputation, Australia built on a two-goal burst in the space of two minutes and appeared set to go into the breather with a 3-0 cushion before India pulled one back at the fag end of the first half.

India managed to re-group themselves and put up a stronger defence in the second half, where they conceded one and scored one at the National Hockey Centre here.

Chris Ciriello (14th minute, 49th), Simon Orchard (16th) and Jacob Whetton (26th) were the goal scorers for Australia, while Rupinder Singh (34th) and Ramandeep Singh (48th) sounded the board for India.

After two easy victories, it was supposed to be a real test for the Indian team and coach Terry Walsh’s boys didn’t fare too badly against the Kookaburras, who had thrashed them 0-8 in the gold medal match at Delhi four years ago.

Ciriello drew first blood for the Aussies when he converted their second penalty corner while a minute later Orchard scored a field goal. In the 26th minute, Whetton made good use of a defensive lapse by Rupinder outside the semicircle as he sent the ball to the left of the post, beating PR Sreejesh on the way as Australia led 3-0.

Two minutes from the breather, India earned a penalty corner and Rupinder struck.
India showed a lot of purpose in second half as they created opportunities but failed to execute them.

In the 48th minute, an opportunist Ramandeep brushed off two defenders and shot off-balance as India reduced the difference to 2-3. However, Australia didn’t waste any time as one minute later, Ciriello scored with a penalty stroke, finding the left of the goalpost.
India will next take on South Africa on July 31.