India started their FIH Men’s World Cup campaign in style, beating Spain 2-0 at the spectacular Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela on January 13. The pool D match was watched by a capacity crowd at the state-of-the-art 21,000-seater stadium.
Goals from Amit Rohidas (12′) and Hardik Singh (26′) saw India cruise through their opener in Odisha’s Rourkela. After a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2022, the Indian team will seek their first podium finish in 48 years in the World Cup now. India won a bronze in the inaugural tournament in 1971 and clinched a silver in the next edition in 1973.
India had as many as 27 circle penetrations compared to Spain’s 25, most of which came in the fourth quarter when they were frantically looking for an equaliser.
India are in the 2nd spot in Pool D after England went top following their 5-0 in their World Cup 2023 opener against Wales.
