Press Trust of India
London, June 15: A first-time entry into the final at stake, a confident India would aspire to rise to the challenge of taking on Australia in their last league outing of the 36th Hero Champions Trophy hockey tournament here Thursday. The Aussies have already qualified for the summit clash by virtue of their 2-0 win over Belgium here Tuesday evening.
In another match played Tuesday, Great Britain held defending champions Germany to a 1-1 draw to oust the latter from the event.
India were beaten by four goals in two encounters against Australia in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament in Ipoh (Malaysia) two months ago, but are eager to produce a better show against the reigning World Champions.
India are drawing inspiration from their victory last year in a Test match at home, ahead of the World League Finals in Raipur. India’s most notable performance against Australia recently was in the 2015 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup where striker Nikkin Thimmaiah’s hat-trick spurred them to victory, but that was an experimental Australian team.
“The match against Australia is a very tough outing. We have to produce our best performance to put up a good contest,” said Indian coach Roelant Oltmans, who is happy to see the Indians stay in the hunt for a medal.
“A medal at the Champions Trophy was the target we set when we started for London. I’m happy that we are still in the running,” Oltmans added.
Australia are heading the league standings with 10 points, followed by India on seven from four matches each. Great Britain are on five points and Belgium on four. So India would least at least a draw too keep their medal hopes alive.
Great Britain and Belgium play after the India-Australia fixture. A stalemate in that game would still put India in the final even if they lose to Aussies. But if there is a winner in the Great Britain-Belgium game then the winners will be in final.
