Kookaburras deliver statement with huge win over India

The Kookaburras have sent a warning to their competition with a resounding 7-1 win over India in their second pool game.

In the 10th minute the ball found the back of the net for the first time with Daniel Beale converting a penalty corner.

Two penalty corners of their own early in the second quarter gave the Indian side some hope, though the failure to convert either only further energised the Kookaburras as they raced ahead to a 4-0 lead at half time.

Early in quarter three India found the back of the net, though their hopes of a fight back were short lived with two goals to Australia putting the result all but beyond doubt. A seventh goal in the final 15 minutes sealed the historic 7-1 win, their biggest ever against India.

Head Coach Colin Batch was encouraged by the performance but remains focused on qualifying for the quarter finals to put the team into medal contention.

“We had a great game today, so we have to maintain that momentum,” he said.

“At the start India had us under a fair bit of pressure and we had to defend strongly.

“The score could have easily been much closer if they had scored an early goal, but we withstood that early pressure and then took over the game. The counterattack, particularly in the second quarter, was outstanding.

“The guys are excited to have played so well, it was a good result, but it is still only the second game in a long tournament.”

Australia remains at the top of pool A with the win, which followed victory over Japan on Saturday.

The Kookaburras next face Argentina on Tuesday at 8:30AM Perth time.

Earlier in the day the Hockeyroos started their own campaign with a 3-1 win over Spain. They return to the Oi Hockey Stadium on Monday playing China at 11:15AM Perth time.