India stun Australia 4-2 at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

Young striker Nikkin Thimmaiah scored a hat-trick, as India stunned World Champion and title holders Australia 4-2 to secure a place in the third place play-off at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey tournament.

India’s new chief coach Paul van Ass, who had promised to give Australia a run for their money, came true to his words although nobody believed what he said.

For India, VR Raghunath (1st minute) and Nikkin (23rd, 32nd, 60th) scored the goals. Daniel Beale (14th) and Matt Gohdes (53rd) scored the goals for Australia.

India had played a 2-2 draw against South Korea, but lost to New Zealand 1-2 and Malaysia 2-3 before beating Canada 5-3. Today’s win was the biggest for India in the recent years, as they stunned the most powerful team of the world.

Azlan Shah CupHockeyIndia vs AustraliaNikkin Thimmaiah