England down Pakistan 4-1 in FIH Hockey World Cup opener

AMSTELVEEN (Agencies): England began their FIH Hockey World Cup campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over Pakistan at the Wagener Hockey Stadium on Saturday. Pakistan made a positive start, relying on high passes to put England under pressure and earned an early penalty corner in the fifth minute. However, the opportunity went begging after the injection was not stopped cleanly. England gradually asserted control and broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Stuart Rushmere found the net after 12 minutes and 15 seconds. Pakistan struggled to create clear chances as England continued to threaten on the counter. Goalkeeper Ali Raza kept Pakistan in the contest with a pair of important saves, including one from England’s first penalty corner of the second quarter. Pakistan captain Abu Bakar was shown a green card for a technical infringement after his side failed to place their protective equipment behind the designated goalpost during a penalty-corner situation. England eventually doubled their lead shortly before half-time, with Sam Ward scoring in the 29th minute to give the Three Lions a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

England continued to dominate after the restart and extended their lead in the 32nd minute when Sam Hooper converted their second penalty corner. Pakistan earned a penalty corner of their own soon afterwards, but England goalkeeper James Mazarelo made a crucial save to deny them their first goal. The Green Shirts continued to search for a way back into the match but struggled to penetrate an organised England defence, entering the final quarter 3-0 down. England added a fourth in the 48th minute, with James Albery converting another penalty corner. Pakistan finally opened their account three minutes later when Afraz scored in the 51st minute, offering a brief glimpse of a comeback. England continued to apply pressure in the closing stages and earned another penalty corner but could not add to their tally as Pakistan’s defence held firm.

In other matches, Germany overcame Malaysia 5-1 after racing into a 3-0 lead in the opening eight minutes. Malaysia pulled one back through Abu Kamal Azrai in the 40th minute, but Justus Warweg restored Germany’s three-goal advantage before Paul-Philipp Kaufmann completed the scoring. India marked their Independence Day with a 3-1 victory over Wales, with Sanjay and Harmanpreet Singh, who scored twice, finding the net for the winners. Sam Welsh scored Wales’ consolation in the 56th minute. World No. 1 Belgium were pushed hard by neighbours France before securing a 3-2 victory. Eliot Curty put France ahead early before Nelson Onana levelled for Belgium. Florent Vaal restored France’s lead, but Roman Duvekot and Alexander Hendrickx scored in the second half to complete Belgium’s comeback.