New Delhi: India squandered a two-goal lead to suffer a 7-2 hammering at the hands of world champions Australia and crashed out of the Hockey World League Final here on Wednesday.
Much to the surprise of the Australians, India took a two-goal lead in the first 15 minutes of the opening half of the quarterfinal match through Birendra Lakra (sixth minute) and Yuvraj Walmiki (11th).
But the Australians showed tremendous fighting spirit to score three goals in the opening period through Nicholas Budgeon (24th), Jason Wilson (29th) and Glenn Turner (35th) to go into the break with their nose ahead.
After the changeover, Australia went on the rampage as they scored goals at will through Russell Ford (41st, 47th), Simon Orchard (45th) and Jacob Whetton (65th) to teach the hosts a lesson in hockey.
Contrary to the final result, it was India who dominated the early share of exchanges with some sharp moves.
At 10th, they might be languishing eight places below Australia in the world rankings, but the Indians looked a superior side at least in the first 20 minutes of the game.
For the second match on the trot, the Indian midfield and forward line coordinated well to create numerous scoring opportunities and trouble the Australian defence.
In fact, the fancied Kookaburras were caught napping by the pace of India’s relentless attacks in the first 20 minutes of the match.
Indian coach Terry Walsh said physical fitness was the major difference between India and Australia.
“It was a very positive start. Australia disintegrated in the first 20 minutes but physiologically we ran into a wall. Australia were much stronger and more powerful than us. Australia are physically much more superior than us,” Walsh said at the post match press conference.
“It was will take time, probably nine-ten months, to get to that position. You can’t expect to match Australia physically overnight.”
Walsh said despite the eventual result he was happy with his team’s performance in the match.
“I am happy with the way we cut through their midfield. But our skill level deteriorated as the match progressed. We did run out of steam and our defensive organisation lost its shape,” he said.
“The positive things to come out of this game are that we were able to take on the world number two side, challenge them and score a few goals.”
Australia now play Netherlands in the second semifinal on Friday, while India will up against Germany for the 5th-8th place classification match the same day.
Netherlands scored two first half goals to shut the door on Olympic champions Germany with a fighting 2-1 victory.
Meanwhile, an impressive England continued their unbeaten run and defeated Belgium by a solitary goal in a hard-fought match to become the first team to book their place in the semis.
New Zealand defeated Argentina in sudden death after both the teams were locked at 1-1 in regulation time followed by deadlock in the penalty shoot-out.
The Blacksticks will take on England in the last-four, with Argentina, ranked 11th in the world, taking on Belgium in the 5th-8th place classification match. (PTI)