s2h team

What can be described as a dream opener, India overcame stiff resistance of the young Spain to post a heartwarming 2-0 victory in the World Cup opener; staged on the newly created, wonderful facility for the sport called Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.

For anyone who have witnessed the opening day’s proceedings would struggle to say which has won their heart, the victory the Harmanpreet Singh’s team dished out or the crowd that throng the stadium.

It was a lively, enthralling and enviable atmosphere amidst which two matches were held today.

Hardik Singh’s goal, India’s second, snatched the game for the hosts

The entire stands were full, each one seemed not to have forgotten to bring mobile phones too. As if to appreciate their possession, at least thrice the floodlights were switched off, for an instant three minutes during the halftime, to show case the floodlight of torch lights. The resultant sparkling from the thousands on the stands remains something the kind of which only the hockey land India can produce.

Today was seventh meeting between the two teams — who are among the four elite nations not have missed any World Cup. However, Max Caldas’ Spain was the least experienced of the 16 teams here in terms of collective caps or caps per player. It showed. While posting its only fourth win over Spain in the realm of World Cup, today, Indians must have realized the hard turn overs the young rival posed, especially in the last quarter.

It was a thought from the beginning whoever takes the lead will control the crowd. When India missed out the first penalty corner and then a couple of close range shots, it was felt India is under pressure and might yield to youth power raged against them. However, it was left to local hero Amit Rohidas to deflect the ball in off the second penalty corner to set the crowd on fire. It was two minutes before the first quarter end. This goal set the stage for the hosts to progress ahead.

Local hero Amit Rohidas got the Man of the Match award

Hardik Singh, who is always alert and aggressive despite his pivotal role he assumed of late, came out with a second when India needed to take the centrestage.

India however was seen not to showcase the precision for which they are known for.

They were committing unforced errors.  Even captain Harmanpreet Singh missed a stroke in the third quarter. When was pressed, as in the case of fourth quarter, India bulked under pressure, yielding three penalty corners.

Earlier in the first match, England proved too much for the World Cup debutant Wales, who conceded as many as five goals. The blitzkrieg of England may bring pressure on the other teams in Pool D, as the tournament would progress.

Photos by K. Arumugam