Commonwealth Games 2010 Hockey : India Lock Horns With Australia

The story could not have been more befitting as the Indian hockey team buoyed by its recent performances take on the world champions and the invincible Aussies in the finals of the commonwealth games hockey 2010 . With the team already being thrashed 2-5 in the group stages , it is now time for revenge for the Rajpal Singh led side who have been nothing short of inspirational in their last two matches .

There has been many a times when the opposition has come back from a deficit to win games against India in hockey . This has been attributed to the poor mental strength of our lads . But what transpired on tuesday at the major Dhyan Chand stadium took even the most hardcore fans by surprise . Sure , the pakistan game was one of the best matches of the team . But India always gets pumped up by Pakistan . Call it traditional rivalry . However India in the manner in which they came back against the rigid defence of England was a treat to watch .the last 15 mins of the second half was probably some of the best hockey I have seen the team play in recent years .

However their task is not done as they would be trying for a major upset and beat the Aussies who have had a sensational year . They are the defending team in commonwealth , world cup and champions trophy . And their form in this edition is as good as it suggests . India ironically have never been able to win a CWG medal since the inception of the sport in 1998 . And this time they are not only assured of the silver medal , but anything less than gold would be deemed a low especially when u have a packed crowd cheering you . And that factor would be crucial when the host nation takes the field today . Even India coach Jose Brasa admitted that crowd support will play a big role in deciding India’s fortune in this tournament.

“it is incredible to play in front of such a crowd. People here understand their hockey. They know when to cheer and shout,” Brasa had said.

India have come back from a poor showing in the preliminary stages to script a fairytale comeback . First by whalloping Pakistan 7-4 , then beating England in the tie breaker 5-4 . However their poor conversion of penalty corners have to be dramatically improved if they would like to bring in the trophy . The defence strangely looked rock solid against the English and they have to be at their best to stop the marauding Aussies . The flank play of the team was as good as it can be with Shivendra and Arjun providing the support .

Today it would be a match between Jose Brasa and our former coach Ric Charlesworth . It would be a match between the david and the goliath . A silver medal is still to be cherished . But ask any Indian which medal they crave for more and the answer would be definitely the hockey gold . Hockey is dwindling but the love for it is still there . Chak de India !!!!!