Lanco Super Series Hockey: Australia, England enjoy authority

By Nadene Smith

SYDNEY, Australia (TheSportsNEXT) November 22, 2012: The arch-rivals Pakistan and India started their nine-a-side Lanco International Super Series hockey campaign off to a poor start on Thursday.

The two South Asian teams were rocked by Australia and England who looked far more professional and agile in the box.

In the inaugural match of the nine-a-side Lanco International Super Series Hockey, Australia defeated Pakistan by four goals to two at the Perth Hockey Stadium in Bentley.

Aussies were leading the match by 3-1 at halfway stage and with both teams scoring another goal in the second half it was the home side which recorded a rather comfortable victory.

Veteran Aussie hockey player Jamie Dwyer was once again amongst the goals as he scored twice while Liam de Young and Beale Daniel also provided one goal apiece as Australia completely looked a better side on the field. For Pakistan, Abdul Haseem Khan and Muhammad Rizwan Senior scored one goal each but that proved insufficient to challenge Australia on their home soil.

In the other match of the opening day, England came from behind to stun the Indians by two goals to one in Perth.

Gurvinder Singh Chandi gave India the important lead but Indian defence-line failed to cope up with the mounted pressure by the English hockey players as they bounced their way back into contention when Daniel Fox equalized and then sealed the deal when David Condon gave the Englishmen the winning lead.

India will be up against Australia on Friday before the bitter rivals Pakistan and India heat up the tournament Saturday.

The nine-a-side format, also known as Hockey 9s, has the only tournament named the Lanco International Super Series played every year in Australia. This year’ edition of the Lanco International Super Series being played in Perth will be followed by the highly-esteemed FIH Champions Trophy 2012 in Melbourne from December 1-9, 2012 at the State Netball Hockey Center.

The hosts Australia, Olympic champions Germany, Australia, England, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium, India and Pakistan will battle it out in Melbourne for the Champions Trophy Hockey 2012 title.