ON A ROLL: Australia outplayed Pakistan 3-0 in a final marked by rough tackles and heated exchanges between players. — Photo: AP

Melbourne: In a perfect ambience that set the tenor for a grand finale, Australia hoisted its hat-trick of gold medals at the Commonwealth Games hockey competition for men on Sunday. The 3-0 verdict against Pakistan is a reaffirmation of Australia's growing hegemony in competitive hockey.

Before a huge turnout headed by two Prime Ministers, John Howard of Australia and Britain's Tony Blair, who is on a visit to this country, the Aussie triumph came like a symphony orchestrated brilliantly by the unassuming coach, Barry Dancer.

The only discordant note was the red card suspension of Tariq Aziz, given by Irish umpire Hutchinson, for inflicting a bleeding injury on the mid-fielder Rob Hammand.

Appropriate moment

The hat-trick of golds, starting with the one in 1998, came at an appropriate moment in front of an home audience that enjoyed every second of the absorbing final.

Australia had also won the Olympics gold at Athens and the Champions Trophy in Chennai last December.

Australia's superiority stood well pronounced in every aspect; be it pace, precision or pattern weaving. Only a few thundering shots missed the target.

Jaime Dwyer was the Aussie trump card. Almost every sally had his imprint in one way or the other. With Travis Brooks and Mike McCann, he formed a formidable trio that almost peppered the Pakistani defence.

Only some stout-hearted effort by Salman Akbar could keep the Aussies at bay.

A measure of the Aussie dominance could be gauged from the nine penalty corners they forced. Seven of those came in the second half in which two goals were scored. Midway in the first half an indirect deflection by Liem de Young put the Australia on a victory course.

Pakistan was very much in the contest despite being subjugated by its rival's torrid pace. Shakeel Abbasi and Mudassar, helped by Saqlain, found some gaps. But support from the wings was inadequate as Rehan Butt was ineffective.

Red card

The defence lost its focus for no palpable reasons. Twice Saqlain clashed with McCann. The red card for Tariq Aziz was tragic and Pakistan was reduced to 10 for almost 26 minutes in the second half. It must be mentioned here that Tariq Aziz was earlier suspended for two matches after he injured a South African player in this tournament.

After missing a few shots at the goal, the Aussies enlarged the lead when Luke Doerner converted a penalty corner and minutes later Dwyer produced a classic backhander off a pass from Nathan Eglington to put the issue beyond a shadow of doubt.

Malaysia accomplished a podium finish with a deserving and well-merited 2-0 win over England to ensure bronze. Eight years ago in 1998 at Kuala Lumpur, as the host, Malaysia anchored a silver.

Morale-booster

But Sunday's win is definite morale-booster for Malaysia's campaign in the qualifier for the World Cup next month in China.

Well as the defence stood up to the pressure, the credit for the Malaysian triumph should rest more with goalkeeper Nasihin. None of the five penalty corners executed with a plan and power by the England attackers could get past this doughty warrior.

At least two of his saves, one from Matt Daly and from Simon Mantell were spectacular in the true sense of the word.

As always, Kuhen commanded the defence with a touch of sophistication supported commendably by the diminutive Nor Aslan Baker and Amin Rahim.

Opportunistic goal

An opportunistic goal late in the first half by Tengu Ahmed who side-stepped two defenders before finishing with an impeccable backhander lifted the Malaysian morale.

Palpably elated by this, Malaysia pressed in the second half. A fierce penalty corner hit by Amin struck James Tindell in front of the goal. The resultant penalty stroke was converted by Amin. When the hooter went, the Malaysians jumped for joy, and understandably so.

The results:

Final: Australia 3 (Liem de Young, Luke Doerner, Jaime Dwyer) beat Pakistan 0.

Bronze medal match: Malaysia 2 (Tengu Ahmed, Muhammad Rahim) beat England 0.

Final placings: 1. Australia, 2. Pakistan, 3. Malaysia, 4. England, 5. New Zealand, 6. India, 7. South Africa, 8. Scotland, 9. Canada, 10. Trinidad and Tobago.

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