Kookaburras step up the pace to defeat India NEW DELHI
March 4, 2010.
THE Kookaburras kick-started their Hockey World Cup campaign with a 5-2 drubbing of host nation India in New Delhi yesterday.
Pre-tournament favourite Australia brushed aside its opening-round 3-2 loss to England, running up a 3-0 lead by the 26th minute and pumping in two more goals despite Jamie Dwyer missing a penalty stroke.
The Kookaburras were watched from the stands by visiting Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith in front of a sell-out crowd of 19,000 at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Dwyer said beating India was ''a relief'' after losing to England.
''It was good to play the way we normally play,'' the striker said. ''I think we played brilliant hockey in the first 20 minutes. It was important to score early goals.''
India's Spanish coach Jose Brasa admitted Australia deserved to win. ''They were in a different league as far as fitness and speed were concerned,'' he said. ''We also conceded at least two goals due to stupid faults.
''The team needs to learn from its mistakes and play aggressive hockey in future games.''
Australia was on song from the start, with veteran defender Liam De Young pouncing on his own rebound after hitting the crossbar to score two minutes in.
Glenn Turner made it two in 10 minutes, seizing on a deflected ball from the goal-line off a penalty corner, before Des Abbott put the visitors three goals up after 26 minutes.
India produced a reply 10 seconds before the interval. But two Australian goals in the first eight minutes of the second half put the result beyond doubt.
Australia's next match is tonight Melbourne time against South Africa - the only team in group B yet to record a win. England remains top of group B with six points after defeating South Africa 6-4 in a high-scoring thriller, while Pakistan bagged its first points in defeating Olympic silver medallist Spain 2-1.
Australia, India, Pakistan and Spain all have three points each.
Two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
Today England plays Pakistan and India's opponent is Spain.
AFP
