World Cup Hockey: Argentina Win Opening Game, Australia Hammer France At Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Olympic champions Argentina won the opening match of the 2023 World Cup Hockey championship at Kalinga Stadium on Friday afternoon, edging past South Africa 1-0.

Argentina, looking to emulate the Lionel Messi-led team’s football World Cup triumph last month, wasted several penalty corners before finally scoring in the closing moments of the third quarter. It was Maico Casella who had the distinction of scoring the first goal of the World Cup.

In the second match of Pool A, Australia hammered France 8-0. Tom Craig and Jeremy Hayward netted hattricks, while Flynn Ogilvie and Tom Wickham scored one each to give the world No. 1 side a flying start.

The action shifts to Rourkela’s brand new Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, where England are up against Wales before India begin their campaign against Spain in Pool D later this evening.