FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 Day 2: Top Teams register comprehensive wins

  Day 2 of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 saw New Zealand, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany winning their respective matches with ease.

Group C

New Zealand defeated Chile by 3-1 in the first match of Group C played at Birsa Munda International Stadium, Rourkela on Saturday. New Zealand dominated the opponents right from the word go putting Chile under pressure. Sam Lane produced a superb field in the 10^th minute to give New Zealand a 1-0 lead. They doubled their lead with another field goal by Sam Hiha in the 12^th minute. At the end of the first quarter, New Zealand led 2-0.

Sam Hiha scored his second goal in the 19^th minute to make it 3-0 in favor of New Zealand. Chile looked impressive with their attacking skills but could not convert chances. New Zealand ended the first half by 3-0.

The third quarter saw Chile looking impressive with few penalty corners, but New Zealand's defense looked solid. Despite few chances, New Zealand ended the third quarter at 3-0.

Chile scored their first World Cup goal as Contrado with a reverse flick shot in the 50^th minute to reduce the margin. It was a superb performance by Chile who put enough pressure, but New Zealand remained solid to win the match by 3-1.

Netherlands versus Malaysia

Netherlands produced a dominating display as they registered a 4-0 win over Malaysia. The first quarter saw Netherlands showing aggression with their style of play, but the Malaysian defense remained solid enough. At the end of the first quarter, the scores remained at 0-0.

Van Dam scored a brilliant field goal in the 20^th minute to give Netherlands a 1-0 lead. Jansen Jip doubled the Dutch lead with a penalty stroke in the 24^th minute. Netherlands kept the pressure on Malaysia and ended the first half at 2-0.

The third quarter saw Malaysia showing some fight with penalty corners but could not convert. Netherlands kept the pressure but could not convert. At the end of the third quarter, the scores remained at 2-0.

Teun Beins scored from a penalty corner in the 47^th minute to make it 3-0. Netherlands kept the pressure and eventually scored in the 60^th minute with a field goal by Jorrit Croon ending the match by 4-0.

Netherlands is placed at the number 1 spot with a better goal difference as compared to New Zealand.

Group B

The defending Champions Belgium began their title defense with a commanding 5-0 win over South Korea played at Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar. The first two quarters saw South Korea with solid defense while Belgium could the chances.

Belgium began the third quarter on a positive note with Alexander Hendrick producing a penalty corner goal in the 31^st minute. Tanguy scored a field goal in the 43^rd minute to give Belgium a 2-0 lead. At the end of the third quarter, Belgium led 2-0.

Van Aubel showed his class with a brilliant penalty corner shot in the 50^th minute giving Belgium a 3-0 lead. Belgium scored two more field goals to end the match by 5-0.

Germany also started the tournament with a 3-0 win over Japan played at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. The first two-quarters of the match saw both teams fighting but could not convert chances into goals.

Grambusch scored from a penalty corner in the 36^th minute to give Germany a 1-0 lead.  Christopher Ruhr showed his class with a field goal in the 41^st minute making it 2-0. At the end of the third quarter, Germany led 2-0.

Prinz showed his class again for Germany as he scored a field goal in the 49^th minute to make it 3-0. Lukas was awarded a green card and a yellow card, but Germany won it by 3-0.

 

 

Defending Champions Belgium began their title defense with a 5-0 win over South Korea