DAYKIN Stagner ended India’s unbeaten run in the Sultan of Johor Cup with a hat-trick that saw Australia register a famous 4-0 victory at the Johor Hockey Stadium on Taman Daya today.
Australia’s win also proves that the Indians are not all that a potent and invincible force, contrary to the general conceivable notion.
Stagner, who was presented with the Man of the Match award, squashed India’s hopes with goals in the 33rd, 39th and 53rd minutes after Patrick Andrew kept Australia 1-0 ahead in the 29th minute via a field goal.
He is the third player in the tournament to score a hat-trick after Australian Ian Grobbelaar who registered three goals in the Burras’ 5-1 win against Japan, and New Zealand’s Jonty Elmes.
Australia’s triumph and India’s defeat had transformed the dynamics and equation of the SOJC. It opened the doors for the Burras and also invited the Junior Black Sticks to join the fray as contenders for the title.
With Thursday being a rest day, the teams will return on Friday for their last round-robin matches. India will go face-to-face against New Zealand, Great Britain entertains Japan, while Malaysia goes up against Australia.
The Young Tigers can expect a tough night against the Aussies. All they need to do is hold their nerves and face the challenges.
The penultimate round match between two former champions India and Australia turned out to be the most exciting and competitive encounters in five days of the tournament. PR Sreejesh’s India certainly had a tough time dealing with the Australian defence.
It brough the best out of the Australians and Indians that kept fans from both sides on their toes. India had four penalty corners in the first half against three by Australia, but none could break the duck.
After going down 1-3 to Great Britain in their tournament opener, Australia played out a 2-2 thriller against New Zealand, and outclassed Japan 5-1 with a hat-trick from penalty corner specialist Ian Grobbelaar.
The first half was a tale of near misses and one that Liam Henderson will not forget. They earned a penalty stroke and Henderson stepped up to deliver Australia’s first goal, but unfortunately, his low grounder push to the left of goalkeeper Ali Khan was saved.
Both teams got off the blocks in the second round on a fast pace. But it was the Australians who went on to enjoy a 4-0 victory.
India and Australia players in action in the SOJC match on Wednesday. Australia won 4-0
Man of the Match Daykin Stagner from Australia