India vs Australia in Commonwealth Games 2010 Hockey Final Today

Australia may have been unbeatable in recent times but India will bank on the positive momentum generated in the past few games and a partisan home crowd to secure the coveted gold medal in men’s hockey at the Commonwealth Games.

The noise and the atmosphere at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium has undoubtedly played a big role in India securing their first-ever medal in the event at the Games but Jose Brasa’s men will not want to rest on their laurels.

Australia, the world champions and Champions Trophy winners, will like to make it a unique treble as no other men’s team has achieved the feat. And legendary coach Ric Charlesworth will like to emulate himself as he had won the three competitions with the Australian women’s team in 1998.

Charlesworth had an unhappy short stint in India and was repeatedly frustrated by what he saw as an un-cooperative attitude by the establishment. Some payment issues also contributed to a premature end to his tenure.

India were beaten 2-5 by the Aussies at the World Cup at the same venue earlier this year and the scoreline remained the same when the two sides met in a pool match here. So they shouldn’t lack motivation to make amends.

It also promises to be a tactical battle between the two master coaches. India got an immense high by thrashing Pakistan 7- 4 to secure a semi-final spot.

Then they came back from 1-3 down to beat England in a tie-breaker. That being an evening tie and played over a longer period will give the hosts less time to recover.

But the adrenalin rush a packed and screaming home crowd provides can be a crucial factor. Australia plays an all-out attacking brand of hockey which the Indians found difficult to counter in the pool game. Their pressing game and quick off-theball running forced the Indian defence into two early mistakes.

The Indians then faded away in the second half. In that context the performance against England was heartening as the Indians ended the match strongly.

Sandeep Singh will still be a concern for Brasa as he misses more than he converts on penalty corners, though, his defensive play and distribution seem to have improved.

Shivendra Singh, Sardar Singh, Sarvanjit Singh and skipper Rajpal Singh have been on song. Veteran Arjun Halappa has been the vital link between defence and attack while keeper Bharat Chetri will be full of confidence after saving a penalty stroke against England.

The Aussie threats are numerous. The team has a few newcomers but that has not diminished its potency. Captain Jamie Dwyer will look to star in the big match. Desmond Abbott, Luke Doerner, Liam de Young, Glenn Turner, Eddie Ockenden and Mark Knowles have been there and done that. Youngsters like Trent Mitton have blended seamlessly into the squad.