Australia struck telling blows in the second-half to hand a humiliating 4-1 thrashing to India in the 25th Champions Trophy at the Wagener Stadiumin Amstelveen today.
It was Australia's first win in three matches, following their 3-5 defeat to the Netherlands and 4-4 draw with Pakistan. For India, it was their second defeat in three outings, having lost 3-4 to the Dutch and beaten Germany 3-2earlier in the six-nation elite meet.
India, who came here as one of the title contenders, will now have to pull up their socks and win their next two leaguematches by big margins if they are to break their Champions Trophy jinx.
Advertisement
Grant Schubert emerged hero for Australia, who led 1-0 at the break, with a hat-trick that highlighted his clinicalfinishing ability, while Troy Elder, playing a major role as a schemer, scored the other with a penalty stroke conversion.
For India, who paid the price for missing three clear cut scoring chances in the first session, Dilip Tirkey scoredtheir lone goal converting a penalty corner.
The Australians struck form at the right moment from their point of view as they spreadeagled the Indian defencewith their typical busy and pacy play. The Indians, after the early flourish, wilted under pressure and could not cash in ona great reprieve in the form of a great save by goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan off a penalty stroke.
Advertisement
India had their chances in the first-half when they launched a few splendid counter-attacks, but the finish did not match the fluency or sharpness as Dhanraj Pillay, Prabhjot Singh and Ignace Tirkey each messed up good scoringopportunities.
Indian coach Rajinder Singh's pre-match concern about his team's midfield play was well justified as there was far toomuch of individual play when a quicker release of the ball would have served them better.
The marking too was rather slipshod that allowed the Aussies far too much room.
The Aussies enjoyed a lot of space in the midfield and that formed the launch pad for their lightning attacks. Also,unlike the Indians, the forwards rotated the ball quite beautifully and constantly kept the rival defence underpressure.
In fact, the Aussies took a while to find their feet as the Indians enjoyed a spell of ascendancy early on.But after weathering the early onslaught, the Aussies gradually got a grip on the proceedings.
The Indian deep defence, under the circumstances, came away with some neat interceptions to thwart the Aussies. Goalkeeper Chauhan too excelled with several good blocks, especially off Brent Livermore.
But a minute from the interval, Grant Schubert capped a left-wing move by Troy Elder whose flick got deflected to himand the Aussie winger made no mistake.
On resumption, Chauhan had plenty to do, taking a rising shot from Elder on his visor after the first attempt had come off the post. But soon after, Chauhan was penalised for squatting on the ball leading to a penalty stroke whichElder converted.
Advertisement
Thus, two goals in as many minutes virtually killed the Indian challenge. Though DilipTirkey reduced the margin, the Aussies struck again through Schubert whoflat-sticked a Troy Elder pass.
India, who will be facing Argentina tomorrow, need to win their next two matches to have some hope of making it to thefinal of the tournament.
Later in the day, Kashif Jawad scored a spectacular goal six minutes before the hooter as Pakistan twice came from behind to hold Holland 2-2 in a league match.
Teun de Nooijer and Taeke Taekema sounded the board forthe defending champions while Sohail Abbas scored the other goal for Pakistan.
Advertisement
The Asian side, which garnered a point from the draw,moved to the second position in the points table behind the hosts, whoregistered wins in their earlier two matches against India and Australia.
Pakistan, with one win and two draws are on five pointswhile the defending champions have so far accumulated seven points. Australia,are at the third spot with four points.
PTI
