India most affected by Commonwealth Games heat

While foreign players and officials complained about daytime heat in the field hockey competition at the Commonwealth Games , it seems India was the team most affected by playing the final in 35-degree C (95 F) heat.

India had favorable scheduling as the organizers planned its pool matches in cool evening conditions in a bid to attract maximum television audience from its 1.2 billion population.

That scheduling kept India in the gold medal picture until the umpires blew the whistle to signal the start of the final against Australia at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday in baking sun.

The Indian resistance at MDC Stadium lasted only for only 15 minutes before its players ran out of the steam and Australia won its fourth successive gold medal with a resounding 8-0 win.

India coach Jose Brasa admitted his team lacked spark early in the match.

``After 15 minutes we gave away a stupid ball, and after that we couldn't keep up morale and energy and fight,'' said Brasa.

Pakistan was the only team to really challenge Australia when Heuvel's side lost its pool match 1-0.

Pakistan and Malaysia were the other Asian teams in the men's tournament, but both could not make it to the last four. With a packed house cheering the home team, India eliminated Pakistan from the playoffs with a 7-4 win in a final pool match.