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Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Final: Four-star Australia cut India down to size

This was Australia's ninth title win as they continued their stranglehold on the tournament.

Ipoh (Malaysia): India suffered a 0-4 drubbing at the hands of world champions Australia to settle for a silver medal, their best finish in six years, at the 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament on Saturday.

This was Australia’s ninth title win as they continued their stranglehold on the tournament. India last won in 2010 for their fifth title, when they shared the trophy with South Korea. In 2012 and 2015 they were bronze medallists.

Thomas Craig and Matt Ghodes scored two goals each in open field play for Australia to overwhelm India after a stout defence in the first quarter had denied the world’s top-ranked team a good shot at the Indian citadel.

Australia took off through Craig’s field goals in the 25th and 35th minutes, and the Indians seemed to be tiring when Ghodes scored struck twice in the 43rd and 57th minutes.

Australia, who won all their seven matches in style, thumped India 5-1 in the round-robin league encounter. For India, this was the second time they finished with the silver medal in seven final appearances.

Playing to a plan at the beginning, India managed to keep Australia out of their citadel in the first quarter and even managed to break into the rival circle on two occasions. Australia forced one penalty corner that was fired wide of the mark by Jeremy Hayward.

At the other end, a cross from Chinglensana Singh on the right was deflected wide by Chandana Thimmaiah. Frustrated for 25 minutes, Australia broke the deadlock when Craig picked up a diagonal ball in the goalmouth and moved sidewards before slamming the ball into the boards.

Australia earned another penalty corner before striker Ramandeep Singh featured in the last move before half-time. Ramandeep’s shy from the top of the circle in a crowded scoring zone was easily deflected out.

India were awarded their first penalty corner in the 32nd minute when striker S.V. Sunil was obstructed on top of the circle, but Harmanpreet Singh’s shot posed little threat as Charter blocked it with his pads.

Craig increased Australia’s lead with an outstanding goal in the 35th minute when he dived to deflect a cross from Blake Govers into the right corner of the goal. India came close to pulling a goal back in the 40th minute in a goalmouth scrimmage, but Chris Ciriello pulled the ball pack from the goalline after it had gone past Charter.

Last year’s champions New Zealand claimed the bronze by beating hosts Malaysia 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 score in regulation.

Final standings: 1. Australia,2. India, 3. New Zealand, 4. Malaysia, 5. Pakistan, 6. Canada, 7. Japan

( Source : PTI )
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