Champions Trophy Day 1: India crushes Pakistan

India and Argentina both claim wins on opening day of Men’s Rabobank Hockey Champions Trophy 2018

The Australia versus Belgium contest was a milestone match for Red Lions captain Thomas Briels, who marked his 300th senior international appearance and by creating the opening goal of the game. Briels’ cross into the circle from the right was not effectively cleared by Australia, with Cedric Charlier pouncing from close range to give the Red Lions the early advantage of the 14-time Champions Trophy winners. However, the Kookaburras soon showed why they are the top ranked team in the game by scoring twice in two minutes, as open play strikes from Trent Mitton and Lachlan Sharp turned the match on its head. The momentum shifted back Belgium’s way when they took a 3-2 lead thanks to field goals from Arthur de Sloover and Tom Boon, but a low penalty corner drag flick from Australia’s Jeremy Hayward ten minutes from the end ensured that the points were shared.

The second match of the day saw host nation European champions the Netherlands up against the Olympic and Pan American champions Argentina. It was Los Leones who emerged triumphant, claiming a 2-1 victory thanks to a late strike from Matias Paredes, who forced home from close range with 45 seconds left on the clock. A field goal from Mirco Pruijser gave the home favourites the lead in the 14th minute, with Argentina’s penalty corner master Gonzalo Peillat restoring parity with a blistering flick into the roof of the net four minutes after half time ahead before Paredes’ late winner.

The competition started with the ever-intriguing meeting between Asian rivals India and Pakistan, with India taking all three points with a 4-0 victory. All of the goals came from open play, with Birendra Lakra putting India in front four minutes ahead of half time before Dilpreet Singh doubled the advantage by wrong footing the goalkeeper and firing into an unguarded net with six minutes of the match remaining. In an effort to chase the game, Pakistan replaced goalkeeper Imran Butt with an outfield player, but it was the Indians who benefitted from the switch as Mandeep Singh – who netted the 3000th goal in men’s Champions Trophy history – and Lalit Upadhyay completed the scoring.

Ranking

Country Played Points GD
1. India 1 3 +4
2. Argentinië 1 3 +1
3. België 1 1 0
3. Australië 1 1 0
5. Nederland 1 0 -1
6. Pakistan 1 0 -4

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