Sandeep Singh scored from two penalty corners on Sunday as India beat fierce rivals Pakistan 4-1 at the men’s field hockey World Cup while European champions England earned an upset 3-2 win over Australia.
In another Pool B match on the opening day, Olympic silver medalists Spain recovered from a slow start to beat South Africa 4-2.
Shivendra Singh gave India the lead in the 25th minute after capitalizing on a penalty corner rebound, and Sandeep Singh made it 2-0 just before half-time with a low shot.
Prabhjot Singh struck in open play in the 37th after a pass from Arjun Halappa, and Sandeep Singh scored with a drag-flick in the 56th. Pakistan pulled one back through a penalty corner conversion by Sohail Abbas three minutes later.
It was India’s first victory against Pakistan at a World Cup since 1975.
“It’s just a normal win and three points for us, we must keep our feet on the ground,” India coach Jose Brasa said. “We dominated the first half, but we were not up to mark in second half and still managed to score two lucky goals.”
England recorded their first win over Australia at a World Cup since 1975, winning 3-2 after James Tindall scored twice for the European champions.
Tindall converted a penalty corner in the 34th minute and found the net in open play in the 45th. England’s first goal came from a rasping penalty corner drag-flick by Ashley Jackson in the 25th.
Jamie Dwyer scored in the 23rd and 66th minutes for Australia.
New Delhi’s Dhyan Chand Stadium was guarded by nearly 19,000 personnel to protect players, officials and spectators in a 3km radius of the venue and accommodation for the 12 competing nations.
Security fears were raised following reported threats by some terrorist organizations against athletes visiting India.
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