28 Feb : India beat arch rival Pakistan 4-1 in the Hero Honda Hockey World Cup at Major Dhayan Chand Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday night.
In the early minutes of second-half of the match, Prabhjot Singh scored the third goal.
Sandeep Singh gave India an upper hand as he scored the second goal for the hosts in the 35th minute.
India took a 1-0 lead when Shivendra Singh converted one penalty corner to goal in the 27th minute.
India has faced Pakistan 4 times in the World Cup and both have won twice each. Chief Coach Jose Brasa has his eyes on the semi final spot.
On the other hand Pakistani captain Zeeshan Ashraf is not ready to lose this match against India.
Spain start WC campaign with 4-2 win over SA
Earlier in the day formidable Spain started their hockey World Cup campaign on a perfect note, outclassing lowly South Africa 4-2 in the inaugural match of the quadrennial event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.
Spain scored two goals in both the halves through Roc Oliva (19th minute), David Alegre (21st), Rodrigo Garza (46th) and Pau Quemada (60th), while for South Africa Julian Hykes (17th) and Ian Haley (29th) hit two goals in the first period.
The inaugural match of the mega-event was a fast-paced encounter and started with both Spain and South Africa making frequent inroads into the rival citadel.
However, it was South Africa who was the first to strike against run of the play through Julian, courtesy a lapse in concentration from Spanish defender Xavier Ribas.
But their joy was short-lived as Spain equalised two minutes later through Oliva’s rebound after the Protea goalkeeper Erasmus Pieterse denied Pablo Amat the opportunity to drew parity.
Two minutes later, David made it 2-1 for the Spaniards from a goalmouth melee.
But to the shock of the third ranked Spaniards, Haley made it 2-2 just six minutes before the lemon break after custodian Francisco Cortes made a fine save from South Africa’s second penalty corner.
England beat Australia 3-2
In the second match of opening day England defeated Australia 3-2 at the Major Dhayan Stadium in New Delhi.
Australian Dywer scored the opening goal in 24th minute. Two minutes later Jackson scored equaliser for England.
After that Tindall scored two consecutive goal for England to make the scoreline 3-1.
In the 66th minute Dywer struck second time for Australia but after that no team could manage to score a goal and England won the match 3-2. England’s Glenn Kirkham was declared man of the match.