India at Tokyo Olympics: Ruthless Australia beat India 7-1 in the second Pool A match
Xtra Time Web Desk: Indian men’s hockey team suffered an embarrassing 1-7 defeat at the hands of formidable Australia in their second Pool A match of the Tokyo Olympics at the Oi Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
After a shaky start against Japan on Saturday, Australia proved their true mettle against India as they made a dominating start to their campaign with lethal attack that only got better as they progressed into the game. While Tim Brand and Thomas Sharp made ambitious forays into the striking circle early in the first quarter, it was not until the 10th minute that they could convert the first goal. It was Jacob Whetton who took a powerful flick and James Beale put his stick in the way to deflect perfectly past India’s defence.
In the second quarter, India’s defence was exposed as the Australians pumped three goals to stretch their lead to a formidable 4-0 at half Time. It was Jeremy Hayward who scored Australia’s second goal through a penalty corner in the 21st minute, Flynn Ogilvie in the 23rd minute and Joshua Beltz in the 26th minute.
Even though India came back from the 10-minute break looking to make amends to their dismal first half, the two PCs they secured in the 32nd and 33rd minute was wasted away with poor trapping and execution. India’s breakthrough finally came in the 34th minute when Rupinder Pal Singh slammed the ball into the circle towards the post which was well-deflected by young forward Dilpreet to beat Australia keeper Andrew Charter.
Australia replied strongly to this when they forced India to make a defensive error that earned them a penalty stroke in the 40th minute. Blake Govers was on target as he put the ball past India’s Sreejesh and scored again in the 42nd minute through a PC taking Australia’s lead to an unstoppable 6-1.
Australia's 7th goal in the 51st minute when he received a long pass from the midfield only to control it well, dribble past Sreejesh and beat Birendra Lakra to extend the team's lead and romp home a massive win.
India will next meet Spain in Pool A on Tuesday.
