It was difficult for the combating outfits in the 27th edition of the Champions Trophy to display the mobility and precise movements when the Polyton turf had been drenched by rain, yet Australia exhibited the essence of speed and power to deflate the challenge of the Netherlands by a clear margin of 3-1 to lift the sought after cup at Chennai's Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium.
It was the eighth time that the yellow-shirted Aussies had won the laurels of this tough competition and proved that they had baggad the Olympic title in Athens against the Dutch on merit with pleasing thrusts and an incisive game.
The Netherlands formation tried might and main to match the fervour and vigour of the Aussies but the latter were head and shoulders above their adversary in combined raids, fine stick-work and vibrant patterns to the joy of the crowds.
Spain, the defending champions, were content to take the bronze medal by bringing down Germany, the world champions, who perhaps are day by day slipping to the bizarre zone of hockey by a scoreline of 5-2. In the league skirmish the outcome was 3-2 in favour of Spain.
Australia from the start of the competition were unbeatable for in the round-robin duels they had blasted the European powerhouses, contenders of the trophy viz. the Netherlands and Spain with the usual panache that had marked their game in Athens or other tournaments.
Their spirits were lifted after the league tussles and it was expected that their combination would exude confidence in the final confrontation against the Dutch who could neither match the technical excellence nor the vibrancy of the Aussies in the front-line. The result was the true index of the superiority of the winners and confirmed once again their systemisation and professionalism against the top-level rivals in hockey.
For the defending champions, Spain, it was a difficult exercise. Last year they were the winners when Australia had opted out of the six-nation contest on security reasons. This time two reverses - against Australia who subdued them by 4-2 and against the Dutch who won by the barest margin of 3-2 - made it difficult for them to make up the leeway in points and they could only have gone into a playoff for the third spot.
That their co-ordination and harmonisation in movements were better than the Germans and they were more gritty and determined in the skirmish for the bronze cannot be denied. The score of 5-2 was a whopping one in favour of the Spaniards, who throughout the regulation time controlled the tone and tenor of the game. Spain had taken away the European title yet in Chennai the Dutch and the Aussies were the more efficient outfits.
The German combination, it appeared, was not fully trained for this competition as their raids throughout the programme were devoid of penetrative streak.
For Pakistan and India, once the global top-raters, it was a poor competition; literally they were among the 'also-rans'. Still Pakistan pushed India to the bottom, which has now made way for Argentina in the next Champions Trophy.
In the league match India, giving a splendid fightback, had pipped their arch-rival by 3-2. But their attacks were innocuous and it was only in the closing minutes that youngster Sandeep Singh's lethal penalty corner drive went straight into the cage to surprise the Pakistanis, as well as the onlookers, and made their adversary happy.
India had the upper hand in both the sessions, but they were goal-shy in the 'D'. What added to the fervour of Pakistan was a penalty corner attempt by Mohammad Imran that hit the boards and a field goal by Tariq Aziz. Pakistan should have displayed firmness in the defence to foil Indian raids after taking a lead of 2-0, which was quite sufficient for a win. However, the Indian players, racing down with skill and speed, pierced through the Pakistan zone to make the score level and then came the blistering blow by Sandeep Singh, which snatched the match from the tiger's mouth.
Pakistan's rear-line and middlers were shaky. The players also had become complacent much against the global pattern after going in front. The forwards were seen to be inconsistent and on a slower key. Sandeep by cashing in on a brace of penalty corner awards made India's success possible.
India's record in the round-robin duels was disappointing as they succumbed to their rivals in the slated matches, except against Pakistan.
The former Asian giant, Pakistan, was comparatively better off than India. The pendulum swung this way and that before Mohammad Saqlain converted a penalty stroke to put Pakistan on par with Germany, who are at Chennai without eight of their retired stars. However, it was a thrilling tie, that earned the two squads approbation from the crowd on a night when Australia had brought anguish to India by sweeping them off the ground with a 4-1 victory.
In a repeat of the Rabobank Trophy final four months ago at Amsterdam Pakistan gave a tough time to Australia by holding them 3-3. The scribes may call it a 'dead match' when the Kangaroos had already qualified for the final yet Pakistan put up a commendable fare and it were they who set the tone of a pulsating game.
The second duel proved to be tragic for India as after taking a 2-0 lead upto the 33rd minute of the first half they slipped into a series of errors and Mohammed Imran reduced the margin through a fierce penalty corner hit.
In the second session it was Pakistan that escalated the pressure and parity was soon restored by them.
The Indian defence, for reasons better known to their coach and captain Gagan Ajit Singh, began to show signs of withering as the pace enhanced. India could not strike any more goal as their shooting remained in an area of uncertainty.
Pakistan found the time and space to raise the score-line and when Rehan Butt hit the bull's eye just before the hooter Pakistan had come out winners to the consternation of the full-house of Indian supporters.
The result perhaps was a repeat of the Champions Trophy meeting between the two arch-foes in 2002 at Cologne when India had given a battering to the Pakistan pack in the league fixture but the latter reversed the verdict in the playoff later on.
A fifth placement may not be satisfying for this country but beating India may have saved the blushes of the hockey management and the two draws against Australia and Germany may have demonstrated the potentials inherent in the flock.
There are many chinks in the armour of the Pakistan set, especially the defence is too vulnerable. Besides, moving with the inners could not have paid the dividends. Besides, many chances in the 'D' went abegging: the marksmanship has certainly to be improved. Why a mess is made near the goal-mouth?
Then the technical officials have to explain as to what tactical mode and method were employed in this high-profile tournament. Were they the same Asian ones that gained us glory in the good old days, the fans are asking?
A strenuous drill and tough preparation will be needed for next year's Azlan Shah, the Champions Trophy and the World Cup, due in September.