Hockey World Cup 2023: Amit Rohidas, Hardik Singh hand India opening win; dominate Spain 2-0

It was a fine start for India in the 2023 Hockey World Cup in Odisha. Playing its opening Group B match against Spain at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, the hosts sailed through with a comfortable 2-0 win, thanks to strikes from Amit Rohidas (12) and Hardik Singh (26). Although the Spaniards did come up with some harsh attacking measures, the Indian defence stood firm after their double lead, making life difficult for the Spanish attackers. The Men in Blue would be up against England in their next game on Sunday at the same venue, while Spain faces Wales on the same day on this turf.

Earlier, in the opening Group B contest, England was up against its neighbouring rival Wales, as the former scored five past to win 5-0. David Goodfield put the Three Lions in the lead within just 35 seconds into the opening quarter. Liam Ansell followed it in the second quarter before the latter added his second in the third quarter. Phil Roper netted the fourth at the stroke of the quarter's end, while Nicholas Bandurak hammered the winner in the final quarter.

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Also earlier, Jeremy Hayward and Tom Craig hit a hat-trick each, first of the event, handing Australia a persuasive 8-0 victory over France in a Group A contest of the 2023 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar on Friday. While Craig hammered three field goals in the eighth, 31st and 44th minutes, Hayward habilitated three penalty corners in 12 minutes as the world number one Australia pummelled its opponent. Hayward struck the board in the 26th, 28th and 38th minutes from set pieces. Earlier during the day, former Olympic champion Argentina was made to labour by world number 12 South Africa before enlisting a 1-0 success in the opening Group A game.

(With inputs from PTI)