It ended on expected lines, with an Indian heart-break though. With the dominance that it displayed right through, Australia was a deserving winner of the men’s hockey gold medal for a fifth consecutive time on the concluding day at the Glasgow hockey centre here on Sunday.
With rain pouring down all along, the Indians could hardly get their act together against the World champions. They never had the chance to rival the mastery of the Australians as Chris Cirello’s brilliant hat-trick put his side on top of the podium.
India's Sardar Singh hits the ball during the gold medal hockey match between India and Australia. Photo: AP
The Australians, who held the upper hand right from the start, got into the lead when Cirello drag-flicked the first goal in the 13th-minute. He then consolidated their position 16 minutes later off another penalty corner.
Ten minutes into the second-half, Cirello converted another penalty corner, his shot rifling into the top corner. Cirello, with nine goals, emerged the joint top scorer of the tournament along with Ashley Jackson (England).
Australia put the game to bed with 20 minutes left for the final whistle when Eddie Ockenden dived to deflect in a Kieran Govers’ pass.
Australia's Trent Mitton ,left, and India's Birendra Lakra challenge for the ball. Photo: AP
India might have escaped the 8-0 drubbing that it suffered in New Delhi four years ago, but what stood out was the failure of its players to test the Australian goalkeeper Andrew Charter even once. And there ended the tale in which one had nothing to write back home about.
Indian coach, Terry Walsh, seemed upset: “We were just out-played, as the game went on. We were drained out of energy to contest the result. We have to give credit to them (Australia). It’s been a very hard tournament for both teams, playing two games in a row was very tough,” he said.
