Hockey World Cup 2018: Moments that defined the opening day

From Dhanraj Pillay cheering on from the stands to Canadian goalie Antoni Kindler’s heroics, here are the best moments from Day 1 of the Hockey World Cup 2018 in Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Mandeep Singh's 11th minute goal opened the flood gates for India against South Africa.

• Showing their love for the sport, Indian fans thronged the 15000 capacity Kalinga Stadium. Among them was a group of fans who travelled from New Zealand, London, Bengaluru, Punjab to the Bhubaneswar, Odisha's capital and the host city, and predicted a 4-0 win for India. Thanks to Simranjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Akashdeep Singh and Mandeep Singh, the men in blue did one better to thrash South Africa 5-0 on the opening day.

Raja Namdhari, from One Team One Dream hails the Bhubaneswar crowd and expresses his desire of India winning the OHMWC Bhubaneswar 2018. He has brought in a fan force from all corners of India to back the Indian team. #INDvRSA#BELvCAN#IndiaKaGame#HWC2018#DilHockeypic.twitter.com/t8ic2321SA

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

 

Hockey fans loving being at the Odisha #HWC2018 Bhubaneswar!
@TheHockeyIndia
FIH/ @GettyImagespic.twitter.com/LkS2C898Uf

— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) November 28, 2018

 

• The opposition acknowledged the overwhelming support despite the defeat.

.@SA_Hockey may have been defeated in their opening encounter of the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 on 28th November, but the spectators in Bhubaneswar cheered them on for a valiant display nonetheless.#IndiaKaGame#HWC2018#DilHockey#INDvRSApic.twitter.com/7355ircRs7

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

 

• Canadian goalkeeper Antoni Kindler conceded twice in the 2-1 loss to Olympic silver medallist Belgium but his stunning saves made sure that Red Lions scored from none of its five penalty corners.

 

CAN vs BEL: @kindler31 makes a nice reaction save in the first half off a Belgium penalty corner. 2-0 Canada trails 2-0 at the half. #HWC2018 Footage: beIN Sports Connect (subscribe to watch Canada's World Cup games) pic.twitter.com/vh8JJkN1z2

— Field Hockey Canada (@FieldHockeyCan) November 28, 2018

 

• India’s vice-captain Chinglensana Singh Kangujam reached 200 international caps for India against South Africa.

 

.@chinglensana29 received a memento for his 200th national cap for India. He was highly lauded by the entire crowd of Bhubaneswar at the Kalinga Stadium for achieving this majestic feat. #INDvRSA#IndiaKaGame#HWC2018#DilHockeypic.twitter.com/QLDDzIgZnN

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018

 

• Indian hockey legend Dhanraj Pillay was the host's biggest fan in the house.

When the architect of modern hockey Dhanraj Pillay comes out himself to cheer the men in blue in their opening campaign of the Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018 against South Africa on 28th November#IndiaKaGame#HWC2018#DilHockey#INDvRSApic.twitter.com/bYLs3SKEWk

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 28, 2018