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Aussies annihilate Kiwis

Manchester July 27. Australia's men's hockey team began the defence of its Commonwealth Games title by coming from behind to rout New Zealand 6-1 here on Saturday.

Veteran strikers Craig Victory and Troy Elder scored two goals each for the Aussies, who finished second behind Germany at the World Cup in Malaysia in March.

It was New Zealand that dominated the start and took the lead in the 20th minute when Hayden Shaw scooped in a penalty corner past rookie Aussie goalkeeper Mark Hickman.

Stung by the early reverse, Australia hit back through Matt Smith a minute later and scored again through Victory to take a 2-1 lead at half-time.

Australia showed why it is a clear favourite to retain the title when it crushed the Kiwis in the second half despite losing the services of their inspirational captain Paul Gaudoin through a hip injury.

Gaudoin limped off early into the second session and then watched from the sidelines as his team-mates went on a scoring spree. Elder provided the momentum with two goals in the 47th and 59 minutes, before Victory pushed in a pass from Ben Taylor for his second goal. Brent Livermore completed the tally with a penalty stroke five minutes before the end.

Indian eves begin well

Meanwhile, the Indian women's hockey team opened its campaign in style, beating Canada 1-0 in the field hockey event of the Commonwealth Games here on Friday.

The only goal of the match came through a penalty corner when Suman Bala deflected the ball into Canada's post in the 44th minute.

The victory earned India three points and put it atop Pool B after the first match of the group between England and New Zealand had ended in a 2-2 draw.

The final score did not reflect the total dominance that India enjoyed over its rivals.

The margin of victory could have more but for some poor finishing and bad luck.

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