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Journalism of Courage
Although the Australian hockey team comes into the Commonwealth Games as favourites to win gold,they are wary of their group opponents India and Pakistan in particular because of their home support. Our group is the group of death. India and Pakistan will be strong opponents, the Australian hockey coach,Ric Charlesworth,who served as Hockey Indias consultant for nine months in 2008,told The Indian Express on Wednesday. The Australian team will be arriving in Delhi on Thursday.
For us,India has been a good hunting ground. After all Australia had a successful World Cup campaign in February this year. We are looking forward to playing in India, he said. Australias group includes India,Pakistan,Scotland and Malaysia but Charlesworth stated that the team will not settle for anything short of a semifinal berth. Anything less than a semifinal berth will be a disappointment. After that it depends on who we play in the semis so we will take it from there,he said.
The Dhyan Chand Stadium,which will host the hockey matches,is where Australia were crowned World Champions in February. After losing to England in the opener,Australia went on to win all their matches on way to the title. Charlesworth is certain that this experience of playing at the stadium will go a long way in calming the nerves of the Australian players.
The experience of the World Cup will definitely benefit our players. Even though there will be vociferous support from the Indian fans,Australia will be able to counter it with strong attacking play as we did during the World Cup, he said.
The coach has been aware of all the controversy surrounding the Games but insists that it will be a success. We will see how the facilities are when we reach the village. I have heard a lot about the controversies surrounding the Games.
Incidentally,Australias men hockey team will be one of the stars from Down Under with the likes of tennis players Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur,cyclist Travis Meyer,table tennis player Stephanie Sang,discus throw world champion Dani Samuels and swimmer Stephanie Rice already pulling out.
