‘Didn’t make Australia work hard for goals’
GLASGOW: Australia ensured their 100 percent men’s hockey record at the Commonwealth Games continued as they thrashed India 4-0 to claim a fifth successive gold medal in Glasgow on Sunday.
Chris Ciriello struck twice in the first-half from penalty-corners to give the Aussies a commanding lead at the break. Ciriello then completed his hat-trick from another penalty-corner early in the second period and Eddie Ockenden rounded off the scoring for the world champions from close range 20 minutes from time.
India skipper Sardar Singh said his side conceded the penalty-corners through silly mistakes
IT IS ALWAYS TOUGH AGAINST AUSTRALIA, THE BEST TEAM IN THE WORLD. SO, THE TEAM SHOULD FEEL SATISFIED
and that has cost his team the gold medal. “Overall, the team has done well in the tournament. We won silver and it is always tough against Australia, the best team in the world. So, the team should feel satisfied,” said Sardar, who came back in the final match after, being suspended from playing in the semi-finals. “But today, our defence was not that good as compared to the earlier matches. We also conceded penalty-corners through silly mistakes and we paid the price. The Australians did not have to work hard as they got the goals through penalty-corners.
“Many of the players are young and they must have learnt from the tournament. We will assess our mistakes here and try to improve and do better in the Asian Games.”
India coach Terry Walsh had to admit that his side had simply been beaten by the better team. “We were just outplayed. As the game went on we looked drained of energy to contest the result. We have to give credit to them.”
Earlier, England claimed the bronze courtesy of a 4-2 win in a penalty shootout over New Zealand after a thrilling 3-3 draw.