Cologne, Sept 03: With a victory still eluding India in the Champions Trophy, its hopes of finishing in the top four of the prestigious tournament now rest solely on its defence, particularly goalkeeping, against Australia in a crucial match on Tuesday.
India drew 3-3 with Holland and lost 2-3 to Germany and it will hope to arrest the downward trend against the World Cup runners-up in what promises to be thrilling contest. But for that it will have to ensure a water-tight defence and at the same time hope that frontline of Prabhjot, Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur and Dhanraj Pillay deliver the goods.

In the two matches that India have played, the forwards have managed to sneak in the goals but a loss of concentration in crucial last five minutes in a match have robbed India of an outright win and a deserving draw.

The situation would have been vastly different if India had held onto their 3-2 lead against Holland and their 2-2 scoreline against Germany. Four points in the bag would have meant India would have placed second in the points tally, a much better position than the fifth they enjoy in this six- nation tournament at present. Bureau Report