Hockey World Cup 2023, HIGHLIGHTS: India beats Spain 2-0; England, Australia, Argentina win opening fixtures

Catch all the updates, results, and highlights as India takes on Spain on Day 1 of the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 in Rourkela.

Amit Rohidas of India with teammates celebrates after scoring a goal against Spain during a match of the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023, at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. | Photo Credit: Swapan Mahapatra

Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s LIVE Coverage of the Hockey World Cup 2023- Day 1, taking place in Bhubaneswar- Rourkela!

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MAN OF THE MATCH

Amit Rohidas is awarded the Man of the Match. He opened the scoring for India and helped to stave off Spanish attacks on the way to a 2-0 win to open its World Cup campaign.

India vs Spain - Match 4

FOURTH QUARTER

• India survives an intense Spanish onslaught and it is full-time. A hard-fought deserving win for India and it has a clean-sheet too to show for it.
• Spain wins a PC after putting India under pressure. But India survives the PC thanks to Pathak and the clean-sheet is intact.
• Abhishek shown a yellow card following a yellow card. India down to 10 men for 10 minutes.
• Fourth quarter begins and Spain is still looking for a way back into this game.

THIRD QUARTER

• A disappointing quarter for India, particularly the penalty stroke miss. But it still holds a 2-0 lead going into the last quarter.
• India wins another PC following a high ball into the D. But again, Harmanpreet can’t trouble the keeper.
• India is unable to push forward its advantage. Indian forwards not converting the chances and it provides Spain with a window to sneak in.
• Abhishek is causing trouble for Spain, now through the left. Another PC, fifth for India. No Harmanpreet and no goal for India.
• Akashdeep Singh gets a penalty stroke for India. Harmanpreet Singh to take the stroke. The referral shows that the ball did not cross the goal line thereby the goal was not counted.
• Four man press by Spain as they try to defend

SECOND QUARTER

• Pathak is forced to make a diving save to preserve the clean sheet and it is the end of the second quarter. India 2-0 Spain.
• Hardik Singh flies through the left wing and puts a dangerous ball into the goal-face and it comes off a Spanish defender and into the goal. 2-0 for India.
• Spain wins its first PC. Shot on target but Pathak palms it away with assurance.
• Spain is unable to bypass the Indian midfield press in the counter attacks.
• Indian attackers yet to get into sync as they fail to connect fruitfully in the final third.
• India continues its attack down the right. Krishan Pathak replaces Sreejesh in goal for the host.

FIRST QUARTER

• India started slowly, but grew into the game and it leads thanks to a well-taken goal from Amit Rohida. 1-0 at the end of the first quarter.
• Another PC. Harmanpreet with the flick this time. The rebound falls for Amit Rohidas, who smacks it in. 1-0 for INDIA
• And the attacks down the right finally result in a PC. It is Abhishek who manufactures the PC. But Jarmanpreet’s drag fails to hit the target.
• India is targeting the Spanish left flank for its circle penetrations. But the European defence has held firm so far.
• Halfway through the first quarter and neither side has managed to create a PC yet.
• Spain with the first attack, but the shot goes wide. India yet to settle into the game.
• The start of the game has been delayed because of England - Wales game. The players come filing out for the national anthem.

England vs Wales- Match 3

FOURTH QUARTER

• Wales pushed hard and far, but England shows its superiority. A comprehensive 5-0 win for England to start the World Cup.
• England drives through the left flank and Nicholas Bandurak shows great composure to round the keeper. 5-0 for England.
• Another PC for Wales. Variation, but Payne comes up with the goods again. Brilliant save.
• Francis forces a half-shot, half-cross but Prtichard couldn’t follow in with the necessary touch. Another chance goes wasted.
• Oliver Payne is forced to make a flying save to deny Wales its first goal at the WC, Another PC goes wasted for Wales.
• Wales wins a PC. The battery shifts to the left, but the flick flies wide. But Wales wins another PC. This time they hit the post. UNLUCKY!

THIRD QUARTER

• And that is the end of the quarter as England pulls further away. 4-0 at the end of third quarter.
• England works its way into the box and a reverse shot by Phil Roper flies into the goal. 4-0!
• England reviews for a foul on Ward and it is a penalty stroke!! Wallace wrong-footed the keeper, but drags his shot wide. MISS!!
• Draper Jacob of Wales out with a yellow card as England looks to widen the margin.
• ANSELL SCORES!! It is 3-0. PC variation from England and Ansell thumps it in.
• England wins a PC after Ward is fouled inside the 23. But Kyriakides does a good job in blocking the shot.

SECOND QUARTER

• Three consecutive PC’s for England, however, they fail to capitalize. England leads 2-0 at half-time.
• Liam Ansell scores a goal off penalty corner and England leads 2-0 nearing half-time.
• England gets a penalty corner after asking for a referral. Another PC for England.
• A bad fall by Calnan as the goalkeeper blocks his attempt to score a goal.
• Wallace counter-attacks and enters the Welsh circle but is unable to score to lack of players to pass to.
• Wales gets a penalty corner scare but manage to defend its D as England’s Phil hits one wide.

FIRST QUARTER

• England’s early goal keeps it in the lead against its neighbour.
• Rhodri Furlong gets Wales’ green card and will be out for two minutes.
• Wales evades danger in its D and pushes the ball out of the circle.
• Will Calnan gets a green card and will be out of the field for two minutes.
• England and Wales take their time as they juggle ball possession.
• 20th second goal for England as Nicholas Park scores! England takes an early lead.

Here’s an interesting copy for you about the Wales hockey team to read!

Among the current Wales squad, only three players – Jacob Draper, Rupert Sheppelley and Toby Reynolds-Cotterill – are considered to have ‘full-time’ jobs as an athlete through their contracts with the Great Britain Olympic programme. -READ FULL STORY

The next two matches will be taking place in the newly inaugurated Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela!

Australia vs France- Match 2

FOURTH QUARTER

• The number one ranked team thrash France 8-0 as the final hooter blows.
• France fails to make use of the few penalty corners they are able to get.
• Wickham scores Australia’s eighth goal against France.
• Australia keeps the referral as the tackle was declared fair.
• France tries to intimidate the Aussie defence but the number one team ranked team pushed the ball out of its D. However, France asks for a video referral claiming an unfair tackle. However, they lose the referral.

THIRD QUARTER

• At the end of third quarter, there are only three Aussie goal scorers with Tom and Jeremy scoring hat-tricks and Ogilvie scoring a goal to make the Aussie total to seven.
• Tom scores yet again and becomes the second Australian to score a hat-tick in the World Cup. Australia leads 7-0.
• The Kookaburras exert dominance over the field as they ooze confidence and comfort while France tries to keep pace with the number one ranked team.
• A chance for Australia and they make the best of the corner as Jeremy scores the first hat-trick of this World Cup and Australia leads 6-0 in the 39th minute.
• Tom Craig scores his second goal as they counter attack in the 31st minute. Australia leads 5-0

SECOND QUARTER

• Hooter blows and Australia dominates the first half against France.
• Jeremy scores his second goal for Australia as they lead comfortably by four goals.
• It’s a penalty corner for Australia and they make the most of it with a consecutive goal as Jeremy Hayward scores the Kookaburras’ third goal.
• France’s Martin-Brisac Simon receives a green card as they are one man down for two minutes and Australia’s Ogilvie Flynn makes the most of it by getting lucky after his third attempt to score. Australia leads 2-0
• Three penalty corners for France but they were unable to capitalise on equalising the goal.

FIRST QUARTER

• At the end of first quarter, Australia lead 1-0
• Penalty corners keep coming Australia’s way but France’s defending gets the better of the Aussie attack.
• 8th minute- Tom Craig scores Australia’s first goal in this World Cup against France. Leads 1-0
• The anthems are played and the hotter goes on signalling play start!

WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME AUSTRALIA AND FRANCE FACED EACH OTHER?

The last time the two teams met was in the 2018 World Cup quarterfinals where the Aussies thrashed France 3-0.

Argentina vs Spain- Match 1

FOURTH QUARTER

• As the hooter goes off, Argentina wins the first World Cup 2023 match against South African 1-0!
• Video referral to check if South Africa hit the Argentina player below or above the knee. However, it seems to be above the knee and therefore Ama Stokke Stokke loose its referral.
• A goal scare for Argentina as South Africa put immense pressure on the Los Leones.
• Consecutive corners for Argentina, but no goals scored in either.
• Argentina take advantage due to the lack of South Africa’s defence and try to counter-attack. However, it is unsuccessful after failing to connect.
• South Africa is awarded a penalty corner after a successful referral.

THIRD QUARTER

• The hooter goes off as the South Africans charge near Argentina’s circle. Argentina leads 1-0 after the third quarter.
• South Africans in an attempt to secure its goal post from Argentina’s penalty corner rush forward before the corner was taken, resulting in having one defender in a re-attempt. However, it makes no difference for South Africa as it is able to save Argentina’s attack.
• Toscani and Casella’s teamwork helps Argentina lead 1-0.
• South Africa earn their first penalty corner but is unsuccessful in materialising a goal.
• Argentina fail to score despite repetitive corners.

SECOND QUARTER

• The teams race to half-time 0-0 with none succeeding in their goal scoring attempts.
• ARGENTINA GETS A GREEN CARD THIS TIME AND JUAN CATAN IS OUT FOR TWO MINUTES!
• South African captain Dayaan aims for a goal, find Tomas Santiago, the Argentina goalkeeper instead.
• IT’S A YELLOW CARD IN THE 24TH MINUTE! THE FIRST OF THIS WORLD CUP - IT’S ARGENTINA’S NICOLAS KEENAN, WHO WILL BE OUT OF THE FIELD FOR FIVE MINUTES. ARGENTINA IS A MAN DOWN FOR FIVE MINUTES!
• Kudos to Gowan Jones the South African goalkeeper as he blocks Santiago’s consecutive attempts to score a goal.
• Consecutive corners for Argentina, however, they miss it yet again as the South Africans manage to push the ball away from its D.
• Drag flicker Nicholas sweeps the ball to his teammates but they fail to use to opportunity as the South Africans push it out.
• South Africans rough tackle leads to the World Cup’s first penalty corner. Can the Argentinians make the most of it?
• The second quarter starts with a fierce South African attack.

FIRST QUARTER

• Scores 0-0 at the end of the first quarter!
• Ngubane of South Africa charges into the the Argentinian D but is unable to score as the ball is pushed out by the defenders.
• The South Africans manage to deflect an attack in their circle and secure ball possession.
• In the last World Cup, Argentina was placed seventh, while South Africa was last.
• AND THE MATCH STARTS!
• The National anthems of both teams echo around the Kalinga Stadium

WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME ARGENTINA AND SOUTH AFRICA FACED OFF?

The two teams faced each other at the 2021-22 FIH Hockey Pro League. After drawing 2-2 after extra-time, Argentina took advantage in the shootout defeating Spain 2-1.

Curious to know in which position did India finish in 2018 Bhubaneswar edition?

Here is all you need to know!

Explained: Why is Pakistan not playing in Hockey World Cup 2023 in Odisha?

Here is why the most successful team in the Hockey World Cup history will not be featuring in the 2023 edition.

Down hockey memory lane: Former stalwarts look back at India’s key World Cup moments - Y. B. Sarangi

On a hockey field, the goal scorers define make-or-break moments. Flipping through the history of India’s roller-coaster ride in the five-decade-old hockey World Cup, we pick five scorers who have left their mark by capturing key moments in the showpiece event. These iconic players fondly look back at the moments they scripted with the magic of their hockey sticks. - READ MORE

DID YOU KNOW? This is India’s fourth time hosting Hockey World Cup. Previously, it has hosted the tournament thrice- 1982, 2010 and 2018. The 1982 edition was held in Bombay (now Mumbai), 2010 one was held in Delhi and Odisha hosted the previous World Cup as well.

HERE ARE ALL THE MATCHES FOR THE DAY!

Where to watch the 2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup matches?

The 2023 Men’s Hockey World Cup matches will be telecast live on Star Sports First, Star Sports Select 2 HD, Star Sports Select 2 SD. The same will be streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar.

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• Full fixtures list, knockouts, dates, time and venues in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela