NEW DELHI India outplayed arch-rivals Pakistan 4-1 in the men's field hockey World Cup on Sunday as England stunned hot favourites Australia 3-2 on a dramatic opening day.
Sandeep Singh banged in two penalty corners to help India record their first win in the last four matches against Pakistan before some 19,000 delirious home fans at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Shivendra Singh and Prabjot Singh chipped in with a goal each as India wiped off memories of a 1-7 humiliation at Pakistan's hands in the Asian Games final at the same venue in New Delhi in 1982.
India led 4-0 before Sohail Abbas, the world's only player to score more than 300 international goals, narrowed the margin for Pakistan by converting just one of his six penalty corners.
“We must not fly high and keep our feet on the ground because the next match is against Australia on Tuesday,” said India's Spanish coach Jose Brasa.
“We dominated the first half, but were lucky to score two more goals in the second session. I think we did not allow the Pakistanis to settle.”
Pakistan's coach Shahid Ali Khan conceded India were the better side.
“It was difficult to come back after being down 3-0,” he said. “The Indians played really well. The players are obviously very disappointed, but we must not lose heart.
“We can still do well in the tournament. It's not all over yet.”
England's win in another group B match, highlighted by two goals from James Tindall, was their first over Australia in a World Cup match since the 3-1 scoreline in the 1975 edition in Malaysia.
Australian captain Jamie Dwyer scored twice, including a penalty stroke, but Jason Lee's European champions played outstanding hockey to rattle their fancied opponents.
Dwyer's stroke in the 23rd minute put Australia ahead, but England drew level two minutes later through a penalty corner by Ashley Jackson.
Tindall then scored on either side of the break as England led 3-1 till four minutes before the final whistle when Dwyer narrowed the margin with a field goal.
Australia's Glenn Turner wasted two good chances near the end, while England's protest against a penalty corner being awarded to the Kookaburras in the last minute was upheld by the video umpire.
Australia paid dearly for converting just one of their 13 penalty corners in the match.
“Records are meant to be broken, so doing it after 35 years was pleasing, but not any different because we are also one of the top sides in the game,” said England captain Barry Middleton.
“We are looking to reach the semi-finals, and this win will definitely help. But we gave Australia a lot of chances today and must avoid that in future.”
Australian coach Ric Charlesworth said he was disappointed to lose the first match in the tournament.
“We had enough chances, I think we had at least 28 shots at the goal and if we did not take them, the blame is on us,” he said.
“England defended well. We have been in such situations before and come out of it. We just need to play better.”
In the day's first match, Olympic silver-medallists Spain came back from a 0-1 deficit to defeat a fighting South Africa 4-2.
All six teams that featured on the opening day are drawn in group B from where the top two advance to the semi-finals.
Group A comprises defending champions Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina, Canada, South Korea and New Zealand.
The 12-nation tournament began amid heavy security in the Indian capital, with some 19,000 security personnel and 200 commandos on guard inside and outside the venue.
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