MELBOURNE: World champions Australia here on Wednesday gave a completely spineless Pakistan a perfect hockey lesson.

On one hand, the humiliating 1-9 drubbing in the International Festival of Hockey match at the State Netball Hockey Centre showed Aussies’ prowess, on the other, the drastically lop-sided scene fully exposed Pakistan’s frailties, rather sheer helplessness, on the Astro Turf.

Wednesday’s mega defeat suffered by Pakistan -- the former four-time world champions -- is their worst-ever in international hockey contests.

The Netherlands had routed Pakistan 9-2 at the 2006 Champions Trophy in Terrassa, Spain and Australia had also blanked the green-shirts 7-0 at the 2012 London Olympics.

Australia dominated the proceedings almost throughout; at times they toyed with the opponents.

Blake Govers’ hat-trick included two off penalty corners, and a memorable field goal was the prominent. Aaron Kleinschmidt had a brace.

The Aussies’ first goal came in the eighth minute off the first penalty corner. Within four minutes, Whetton doubled the advantage. First half’s last goal came off a wonderful Whetton assist. His inch-perfect ball from circle’s top beat a crowded defence and Kleinschmidt, easily scored from the middle of the scoring area.

In the first 30 minutes, Pakistan had just one open play attempt when Arslan Qadir’s full stretch effort eluded the target. They also wasted one penalty corner.

The hosts led 3-0 at half-time.

Two minutes into the second half, Abu Bakr brought a glimmer of hope. Off Pakistan’s second short corner, his forceful flick went high into the net.

However, within a minute, the Aussies restored three-goal lead. Kleinschmidt had his second of the evening with a superb first time reverse hander from the left of circle’s edge which went into the roof of the far net.

Govers made it 5-1 with a penalty-corner conversion. His flat forceful push beat Pakistan’s defence all ends up.

Though, Australia again had most of the exchanges in the third quarter but it was green-shirts’ best 15 minutes of the game. They had open play opportunities and a couple of penalty corners, scored off one of them.

Pakistan’s sloppy defence seemed to be theme of the day but in the last quarter, it completely melted away and conceded four more goals.

Arunasalam dived to avail a parallel pass sent from left.

Then Govers scored the most memorable goal of the day.

Standing in the left side of the circle, he body feinted the defence and put it in, finding the narrowest of the narrow gaps between the near post and the net minder-all in one movement.

Soon a Govers’ reverse shot from left, across the face of the goal, was well flicked into the goal by Wickham.

Irresistible Govers completed the tally and also his hat-trick in the last minute. Off another penalty corner, his hard low push went past goalkeeper Amjad’s left pad.

In their next match Pakistan face Japan on Thursday.

Japan were held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2017