There were goals aplenty in the international debut Thursday of nine-a-side field hockey in Perth, Australia, where Australia beat Pakistan 3-2 while New Zealand thrashed India 6-3 in the men’s matches. Australia beat Pakistan by 3-2. All five goals were scored in a nine-minute burst in the first-half, Jamie Dwyer’s superb goal from just inside the circle in the 15th minute ultimately proving the winner. The Pakistanis clearly felt they were on the wrong end of the umpiring as they searched for an equaliser in the second half, making several vocal complaints to the officials. The first night of the innovative four-day International Super Series, which includes a number of other trial rules such as 15-minute halves and wider goals to increase spectator appeal, produced entertaining and attacking hockey.
There was only one scoreless game in the four matches, with 21 goals scored in just 120 minutes of hockey. In the other men’s match, NZ thrashed India 6-3. However, the new format didn’t agree with India’s men, who paid the price for a sluggish start when they conceded the opening three goals to NZ in quick succession en route to a heavy defeat. Although Danish Mujtaba pulled one back in the 12th minute, the 2010 C’wealth Games silver medallists were down 4-1 at the break after NZ’s Joel Baker scored before half-time.
A weak start in the new format of 9 sided hockey match against Australia.This format is not going to revolutionized the game instead it will ruin the game.So many goals will be scored in each match that there will be no interest left even in tightly rivalary games.This format is new to all so all the credit goes to Australia and New Zealand for wining their first games against Pakistan and India.Australia defeated Pakistan by the margin of 3-2 and New Zealand gave a drubbing to India by wining 6-3.Hopefully,Pakistan's coach do some adjustments in his strategy to win the next games in the two leg tournament.Good Luck Pakistan Hockey team.
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