Amit Rohidas and Hardik Singh strike as hosts India beat Spain 2-0 to begin campaign on a high
Amit Rohidas (left) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal against Spain at Rourkela, Odisha, yesterday. Pic/PTI
World No.6 India began their World Cup campaign on a rousing note with an emphatic 2-0 win over Spain at the swanky new Birsa Munda Stadium here on Friday. In front of a jam-packed crowd of 20,000, Harmanpreet Singh & Co comfortably put it across World No.8 Spain to register their first points in Pool D.
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India scored the opening goal through local lad and vice captain Amit Rohidas in the 12th minute off a penalty corner. A drag-flick by skipper Harmanpreet was deflected by a Spanish defender into the path of Rohidas, who slammed home for 1-0. It was also a landmark 200th World Cup goal for India, who only have one World cup title to boast of, Malaysia 1975. India’s second goal came in the second quarter when a speedy Hardik Singh made a quick move down the left, taking a couple of Spanish defenders in his stride before tapping in to double the lead.
Also Read: Hockey World Cup 2023: The heat is on Harmanpreet!
India were by far the better side as they dominated the possession besides earning as many as five penalty corners. Skipper Harmanpreet though would be a tad disappointed with his individual performance considering he also missed a penalty stroke besides failing to get on to the scoresheet through any of the penalty corners.
India next play England on Sunday. The Englishmen thrashed Wales 5-0 in another Pool D match earlier in the day.
Also Read: Men's FIH Hockey World Cup 2023: Full schedule, Date, Time
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