There could not have been a better start the orgnizers would have thought for the home edition of world cup to unfold. Indian hockey, on this day, the opening day of the 12th World Cup outplayed Pakistan 4-1 to garner full three points.
Playing againt the packed stadium, India scored through Shivender Singh, Prabhjot Singh and inbetween Sandeep Singh made a grand brace of goals.
On a day, England defeated highly rated Australia in a thrilling contest, India lived upto the expectations with precise passes, nice traps and faster foot.
Though it appeared a one way traffic for India, a huge credit should go to young PR Sreejesh, who singlehandledly thwarted two penalty corners of dreaded Sohail Abbas.
Jose Brasa deserves credit for the bold step of fielding PR Sreejesh, a step that would have come in for criticism had the result gone the other way
Within two minutes after the change of sides, Prabhot Singh bounced on a short rebound from Salman Akber, Pak goalie, and put it above the head of him who was by now on the ground in a desparate attempt to block the ball.
The stadium was nearly packed despite heavy security, and they have gone satisfied.
The match started on a brisk note, with India on the ball for most part in the first half.
It was Shivender, trapping a rebound sent home the ball in a melee for the India’s opener. This score of course came after many near misse.
India pressed at the fag end of the first half, and a near penalty corner was in the asking, but it had come only after the team registered a TV referal. With just second remaining and after the hooter, Sandeep Singh dragfliced to consolidate the score at lemon time.