Debutant Sam Ward scored two goals as a spirited England upset defending champions Australia 3-1 in the opening match of the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in India on Saturday. Rapidly-improving Belgium also made a winning start in pool A of the eight-nation event with a 2-1 win over Pakistan at the Kalinga stadium in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar.
In pool B, the Netherlands outplayed Pan-American champions Argentina 3-0 and Olympic champions Germany pipped hosts India 1-0 through a last-minute goal by Florian Fuchs. Australia, the reigning world champions who are seeking an incredible sixth successive title, struggled to keep pace with their rivals after England went into half-time 2-0 up. Alastair Brogdon opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a spectacular back flick before the 23-year-old Ward increased the lead off a rebound from the post in the 27th.
Chris Ciriello pulled back one for Australia with a penalty corner but Ward, a last-minute replacement for the injured Harry Martin, made it 3-1 with a swift counter-attack three minutes from the end. It was a disappointing start for the new-look Kookaburras, who were without retired veterans Liam de Young and Rob Hammond and the injured duo of five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles.
"It's very disappointing to lose," said Australia skipper Eddie Ockenden. "We did not start well and that cost us in the end. We had our chances, but need to push up our game." Delighted England captain Barry Middleton said the win was a good morale booster for his team.
"It is a very good feeling to have secured the very first match in our favour," said Middleton. Thomas Briels scored Belgium's match-winner in the 43rd minute after Muhammad Imran converted a penalty stroke for Pakistan in the 36th to equalise. Tanguy Cosyns had given Belgium, ranked fourth in the world, the lead after ten minutes. Belgium, who are playing in only their second Champions Trophy tournament, next play Australia on Sunday.
England take on Pakistan the same day. Second-ranked Netherlands ran circles around the Argentine defence after Mink van der Weerden put them ahead through a penalty corner in the 19th minute. Robbert Kemperman made it 2-0 six minutes later and Diede van Puffelen scored his first goal at senior level nine minutes from the end to seal an emphatic win.
"I think it was a very comfortable out there, especially in the first three quarters," Dutch coach Max Caldas said. "In the fourth quarter, we looked a little bit tired and the game opened up when it did not really have to." In pool B matches on Sunday, the Netherlands meet Germany and India face Argentina. The groups determine the line-up for the knock-out stage to be contested by all eight sides.
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