CWG Hockey: Indian men ready for Australia challenge

New Delhi: Post back to back wins in the XX Commonwealth Games at Glasgow, Scotland, Indian men hockey team will be looking at continuing its winning momentum and form against the defending champions Australia on 29 July 2014. The Indian team will aim to register their third consecutive win which will take them to the top of the points table in Pool A. While at one end the Indians are aware of their goal, the Kookaburras on the other hand will want to showcase their No. 1 dominance against India tomorrow.

Australia will be well aware of the fact that the Indian team will be looking at avenging their last Commonwealth Games 2010 defeat and also their World Cup loss. The team since then has shown signs of improvement and the last game against Scotland is a proof keeping in mind the 6-2 score and the penalty corner conversions by the team plus the fact that the Indian forward line has got an added boost with the inclusion of Gurwinder Singh Chandi.

Dragflickers V R Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh are looking in form with their penalty corner conversions in the last game is good news and has come at a time when the team is all set to meet Australia. With their penalty corner conversion in place, the forward line is also looking good with goal conversions coming at important junctures in the game.


Speaking on their game against Australia tomorrow, Chief Coach Terry Walsh said “The Australian round game gives us another opportunity to test ourselves in the areas we believe we have improved. The opponent will test our belief in our abilities. The game will be fast, open and full of tests for individuals and our team. I am confident that our performance will show significant measures of improvement. It is a contest we are all very keen to play. However, we also understand that this game is a round game in tournament where the first objective is to gather the necessary points to play in the semi finals.”


Speaking on tomorrow's game, Captain Sardar Singh said “The team is under no pressure when they will be facing the opponents tomorrow as the boys are high on self-belief. Post the World Cup our main area that we needed improvement was the penalty corner conversions. In the last two matches the boys have shown remarkable improvement and both V R Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh look in great form. I am excited on our clash against Australia tomorrow and confident to deliver a good fight.”


India will face Australia in their third match on 29 July 2014 at 1830hrs IST and match will be telecasted live on Ten Action, Ten Sports and Ten HD.