PERTH: Australia edged out traditional rivals New Zealand 5-3 to win the men’s final of the inaugural International Super Series in Perth on Sunday even as a profligate Indian men’s hockey team frittered away chances galore, going down 1-4 to arch-rivals Pakistan in the bronze medal match to sign off bottom of the heap.
Australia were heavily favoured to win the final of the innovative nine-a-side tournament, which also showcased other trial rules such as shortened 15-minute halves and widened goals, but faced a spirited Kiwi challenge.
Australia, who thrashed New Zealand 7-1 earlier in the tournament, looked in control when they led 3-1 in the first half.
However, the Kiwis lifted to draw level early in the second half when Stephen Jenness added to the two goals Blair Hilton had already scored.
The favourites for the 2012 London Olympics eventually steadied from a short corner in the 25th minute, with Liam De Young converting to restore their lead before Glenn Turner sealed the title with less than two minutes to play.
The women’s final saw Australia recover from a goal down to beat India 4-1.
Australia dominated early, but it was India that opened the scoring against the trend of play through Soundarya Yendala in the ninth minute.
However, Australia struck back through Hope Munro and Kellie White in quick succession and led 2-1 at the break.
The home side broke the game open early in the second half with goals to Marnie Hudson and Ashleigh Nelson within 60 seconds.
In the men’s third place playoff, Pakistan saved the best for last to thrash arch-rivals India 4-1 and notch their first win of the four-day tournament.
Muhammad Waqas scored a double for Pakistan, who led 2-1 at half-time having capitalised on two short corners, while India scored through Rajpal Singh with just 10 seconds left in the half.
Another short corner conversion extended Pakistan’s lead in the 17th minute as Fareed Ahmed was left with a simple tap-in at the far post, before Waqas’s powerful strike in the 20th minute put the issue beyond doubt.
Tushar, in the 25th minute, was served from near the circle by Sarwanjit Singh but he let the ball pass him silently. Two minutes later, young forward Yuvraj hit the side netting after getting served from Gurbaj on the right.
Indian captain Bharat Chhetri, who played the second half of the crucial match, expressed surprise on the team’s performance.
“We did not play our usual game. We lost our usual rhythm also. In fact, we lost the game when we missed at least three clear chances within the first five minutes. I think we lost the game when that happened,” Chhetri admitted.
“We ourselves did not expect we will lose the game this way, that too to Pakistan,” he added. (Agencies)
