Australia 2 India 1

Australia ‘A’ 2 Pakistan 1

PERTH (Australia), June 1: A last-minute goal by striker Michael McCann secured a thrilling 2-1 win for Australia over India in the final of a tri-nations field hockey tournamnent here on Sunday.

The Australian senior side triumphed after Australia A had won 2-1 against a shattered Pakistan, who slumped to their fourth defeat in five days.

Australian coach Barry Dancer was delighted with his top team’s improved performance, which came a day after they were embarrassingly thrashed 7-2 by Australia A, the surprise packet of the competition, in a “dead rubber” match.

“Being able to respond after being beaten, and getting home after going behind today — that’s a step forward this team have made and a lesson we must take forward,” he said.

The four teams meet again in a second tournament in Wollongong and Sydney this week as they continue preparations for the Champions’ Trophy in August.

In a tight first half, India denied the Australians any space to play, with strikers Troy Elder and Nathan Eglington being effectively contained.

India almost went ahead when Baljit Singh Dhillon sliced the home side open with a pinpoint pass, only for Gagan Ajit Singh to shoot straight at Mark Hickman in goal.

With teeming rain making conditions difficult, veteran Danraj Pillay held his nerve to give India the lead in the 49th minute, sweeping home a short corner.

Australia’s increasingly frantic search for an equaliser looked unlikely to bear fruit until a short corner routine freed Jamie Dwyer, who slotted high over goalkeeper Devesh Chauhan.

With less than a minute to go, Eglington crossed to McCann, who converted from less than a metre out.

In their clash with Australia’s second-string line-up, Pakistan squandered a 1-0 lead as they conceded two goals in as many minutes shortly before the final whistle.

Pakistan went ahead in the 50th minute through Mohammad Saqlain, and looked likely to emerge from the competition with a much-needed victory.

But the home side’s Grant Schubert shattered their hopes when he netted in the 65th and 67th minutes.

Pakistan had earlier lost 0-3 to Australia, 3-5 to Australia A and 0-2 to India in qualifying matches.—AFP