India beat Wales 3-1 in World Cup opener

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scores twice as India take a fine start

India opened their FIH Hockey World Cup Group D journey with a 3-1 victory over Wales on Saturday.

Harmanpreet Singh scored twice to help former world champions overcome a determined Welsh challenge at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen.

India made a fast start and established a two-goal advantage in the first quarter, with Harmanpreet converting two penalty corners. Sanjay also found the net as India took control of the contest and went into the break with a 2-0 lead.

Wales, appearing to face sustained pressure from India's attack and set-piece game, kept India scoreless in the second quarter but struggled to create enough clear opportunities of their own.

India restored their two-goal cushion in the third quarter through Harmanpreet, who completed his brace and underlined his importance to India's penalty-corner threat.

Wales refused to surrender and Sam Welsh pulled a goal back in the fourth quarter, scoring a field goal to give his side a late opening.

India, however, held firm through the closing stages to secure all three points.

Meanwhile in the Women’s World Cup Germany crushed Scotland 3-0 at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Belgium.

Germany broke the deadlock in the second quarter through Hachenberg, who put her side ahead in the 24th minute. Zhong then doubled the advantage at 33:06, giving Germany a 2-0 lead at halftime. Scotland, backed by goalkeeper Jennifer Eadie and a defence that had resisted Germany's early pressure, managed to keep the Germans scoreless in the third quarter. Germany nevertheless retained control and entered the final period with a two-goal cushion.

Krings restored the attacking momentum late in the game, scoring in the final quarter to complete the 3-0 victory.

In another fixture of the women’s section Australia defeated Japan 2-0 at the same venue with Claire Colwill scoring both goals.