My Letters - GULF NEWS - Dt 01 March 2010 - World Cup hockey: England surprise Australia, India beat Pakistan

World Cup hockey: England surprise Australia, India beat Pakistan

New Delhi: James Tindall struck twice to enable European champions England pull off a surprise 3-2 victory over tournament favourites Australia on the opening day of the men's hockey World Cup on Sunday.

Olympic silver medallists Spain beat South Africa 4-2 and India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 4-1 in the day's other two pool B matches at the Dhyan Chand National Hockey Stadium.

World number two Australia, who won a record 10th Champions Trophy in December, dominated the first half with speedy forays but failed to convert any of their five penalty corners.

Captain and forward Jamie Dwyer finally put them in the lead through a penalty stroke before Ashley Jackson equalised through a penalty corner after sone solid goalkeeping by England's James Fair.

Tindall the converted a penalty corner and made it 3-1 when following up for an opportunistic goal.

Dwyer cut the lead with four minutes remaining through a penalty corner but England defended well in the final minutes for their first win against their traditional rivals in World Cup since 1975 and only their fifth in 52 meetings.

Spectacular victory for India

India's penalty corner specialist Sandeep Singh inspired the hosts to a spectacular victory in the clash between two former powerhouses with two goals, four years after suffering an accidental bullet injury that threatened to scupper his promising career.

Olympic champions Germany begin their campaign for a third straight world title with a pool A match against South Korea.

Results on Sunday on the opening day of the field hockey World Cup:

Pool B

Spain 4, South Africa 2
England 3, Australia 2
India 4, Pakistan 1

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My comments as follows:


Congratulations to Team India Hockey. The hockey team need more support from the nation. Readers where are you all. Cheer them, especially yesterday, the team played brilliant hockey and the margin of victory would have been even more. Surprisingly, there was no live telecast of the match. More matches to play in this tournament and let this win be an inspiration for Team India to get the championship.

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates