Australia thrashes India, England records second win in hockey

Tuesday, March 02, 2010 10:34:00 PM | Comments (0)

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NEW DELHI: Tournament favourites Australia got their World Cup campaign back on track with a 5-2 victory over India in pool B on Tuesday.

Clinical Australia pumped in two goals by the 10th minute to establish early domination over India after suffering a surprise 3-2 defeat by England in the opening match on Sunday.

European champions England beat South Africa 6-4 for their second straight victory in the six-team group while Pakistan, who lost to India in the opening game, beat Olympic silver medalists Spain 2-1 with Abdul Haseem Khan scoring both goals.

Australia's Liam De Young stunned India with a second minute goal and Glenn Turner scored off a penalty corner in the 10th for the first of his two goals as a packed crowd at the Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium was silenced.

Desmond Abbott scored the third goal for Australia, who won a record 10th Champions Trophy in December, before Vikram Pillay pulled one back for the hosts just before halftime.

Luke Doerner and Turner scored in quick succession when play resumed as India, without striker Shivendra Singh who is serving a three-match ban, crumbled under pressure.

Captain Rajpal Singh cut the deficit for India who were outpaced by a speedy Australian team for whom Jamie Dwyer also missed a penalty stroke.

Richard Mantell scored twice in England's comprehensive victory over South Africa. AGENCIES.