New Delhi:
Defending champions Australia outplayed India 5-2 in Commonwealth Games Pool A hockey match at a packed Major Dhyan Chand stadium on Thursday.
Australia, who beat India by the same margin at this very venue during a World Cup league match early this year, seized the initiative by slamming in two goals inside the first 10 minutes through strikers Des Abbott and Trent Mitton.
Indian forward Dharamvir Singh made it 2-1 with a powerful drive into the Australian goal in the 12th minute after a spectacular, mazy run on the left.
The goal seemed to lift the morale of the Indians, who constantly charged into the rival circle and forced as many as five penalty corners but failed to convert any.
The second-half saw Australia display top form, with Eddie Ockenden converting a penalty off a pass by captain and three-time player of the year Jamie Dwyer in the 48th minute.
Liam de Young, another experienced player in the Australian side, made it 4-1 six minutes later before Glenn Turner joined in the goal-fest and stunned the crowd into silence.
India's penalty corner expert Sandeep Singh, however, gave the spectators something to cheer about when his drag-flick hit the Australian post at the final hooter.
Dwyer said his team were still far from playing their best.
"I think we did not play particularly well," said the 31-year-old striker. "We did well in patches. India showed in the first half that they are a dangerous side when on song.
"We had to regroup and refocus after the first-half. We were fortunate to end on top."
Indian forward Shivendra Singh said the team should have capitalised on the chances that came their way.
"We squandered too many chances, something you cannot afford to do against a top side like Australia. We failed to clear the ball and that put pressure on us. We also got two close chances to score but we failed to connect.
"Now, we will have to play out of our skin against Pakistan because that match is now like a knockout for us."
Australia, who beat India by the same margin at this very venue during a World Cup league match early this year, seized the initiative by slamming in two goals inside the first 10 minutes through strikers Des Abbott and Trent Mitton.
Indian forward Dharamvir Singh made it 2-1 with a powerful drive into the Australian goal in the 12th minute after a spectacular, mazy run on the left.
The goal seemed to lift the morale of the Indians, who constantly charged into the rival circle and forced as many as five penalty corners but failed to convert any.
The second-half saw Australia display top form, with Eddie Ockenden converting a penalty off a pass by captain and three-time player of the year Jamie Dwyer in the 48th minute.
Liam de Young, another experienced player in the Australian side, made it 4-1 six minutes later before Glenn Turner joined in the goal-fest and stunned the crowd into silence.
India's penalty corner expert Sandeep Singh, however, gave the spectators something to cheer about when his drag-flick hit the Australian post at the final hooter.
Dwyer said his team were still far from playing their best.
"I think we did not play particularly well," said the 31-year-old striker. "We did well in patches. India showed in the first half that they are a dangerous side when on song.
"We had to regroup and refocus after the first-half. We were fortunate to end on top."
Indian forward Shivendra Singh said the team should have capitalised on the chances that came their way.
"We squandered too many chances, something you cannot afford to do against a top side like Australia. We failed to clear the ball and that put pressure on us. We also got two close chances to score but we failed to connect.
"Now, we will have to play out of our skin against Pakistan because that match is now like a knockout for us."
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