European champions England provided the shocker on the opening day of the World Cup after they saw off world No.2 Australia 3-2.
England registered their first win against Australia in the quadrennial event after 35 years in a high-octane encounter at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday
James Tindall scored twice while FIH young player of the year Ashley Jackson scored once in the English win. Aussie captain Jamie Dwyer did his best with two goals but in the end it was a disciplined England that went all the way.
Grant Schubert almost opened the account for the Australians in the first minute of the game itself as his reverse shot missed the near post narrowly. The Antipodeans continued attacking but the English defenders were equal to the task.
After failing to make the most of a couple of penalty corners, the Aussies finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute through captain Jamie Dwyer, who converted the penalty stroke after English goalie James Fair was found guilty of sitting on the ball. England, however, took no time to equalise as Jackson took a ripper of a penalty corner in the very next minute. James Tindall scored nine minutes later through a penalty corner to give a 2-1 lead to the European Champions.
After the break, the Champions Trophy winners stepped on the gas and won many penalty corners but a poor execution from the strikers up front undid them. Meanwhile, England turned in a top class show and made the most of the chances that came their way. Tindall scored his second goal of the night on the rebound in 46th minute to stun the few Aussie supporters in the arena. Dwyer pulled one back in the 65th minute to keep the Australian hopes alive but it turned out to be too late in the day.
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