New Delhi: India made a disappointing start to their Hero Hockey World League Finals campaign with a 2-0 defeat to England in their opening match at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Friday.
Man of the match Adam Dixon scored both goals for England, finding the net from penalty corners in the 28th and 45th minutes.
The new-look Indian forward line which included young faces Affan Yousuf and Chandanda Thimmaiah were not able to make use of the opportunities that came their way.
Both teams were well matched in the first half. The Indians created a few scoring chances including consecutive penalty corners in the 11th minute but were let down by poor finishing.
That proved to be costly as Kothajit Singh fouled Michael Hoare to concede a penalty corner and Dixon stepped up to give England the lead.
The visitors could have scored more goals but goalkeepr P.R. Srijeesh came to India’s rescue with a on a couple of occasions.
India coach Terry Walsh made several substitutions early in the second half but that did not make much difference as Dixon soon doubled England’s lead.
There was more disappointment in store for the hosts as Rupinder Pal Singh found the net off a penalty corner but the goal was ruled after a video referral as Birendra Lakra had stopped Manpreet Singh’s push inside the penalty area.
Argentina stun Holland
Earlier, Argentina stunned favourites Holland with a comprehensive 5-2 win. Gonzalo Peillat (2nd, PC), Facundo Callioni (8th), Pedro Ibarra (56th), Guido Barreiros (60th) and Juan Gilardi (67th) scored for 11th ranked Argentina while Mink van der Weerden (5th) and Steve van Ass (50th) reduced the margin for Olympic silver medalists Holland who are third in the world rankings.
In the tournament opener, a last minute goal by Jacob Whetton saw Australia register an extremely hard earned 3-2 victory over a stubborn Belgium. The match was an exciting, see-saw affair with plenty of chances at both ends.
Australia had taken the lead just before the break thanks to a penalty corner conversion by Kieran Govers (33rd). Belgium hit back immediately with Tom Boon scoring the equaliser.
The second half went along similar lines with Govers (48th) again scoring from a penalty corner. The Europeans again pulled level through Tomas Briels (53rd) before a nice diving effort from Whetton (69th) saw the Aussies through.
Germany meanwhile, justified their favourites’ tag with a convincing 6-1 victory over New Zealand in their opening encounter in Pool A.
Christopher Wesley (1st), Thilo Stralkowski (11th), Florian Fuchs (31st), Stralkowski (44th, PC) Tobias Hauke (45th) and Jan-Philipp Rabente (48th) scored for Germany.
Kane Russell (5th) fired home from a penalty corner to give a consolation goal to the Black Sticks.
