Hockey World Cup: India mark Independence Day with 3-1 win over Wales

India could hardly have asked for a better way to celebrate Independence Day. Harmanpreet Singh’s men began their Hockey World Cup campaign in style, beating Wales 3-1 in their opening Group D match in Amstelveen on Saturday, August 15.

India did not have everything their own way at the start, with Wales enjoying possession and creating the first clear opportunity. But once India settled into the contest, they began to find openings and made their penalty corners count.

Sanjay broke the



deadlock in the eighth minute with a powerful drag-flick, giving India the perfect boost. Three minutes later, captain Harmanpreet stepped up and doubled India’s advantage with another penalty-corner conversion. His low effort towards the goalkeeper’s left gave India a 2-0 lead and put Wales under considerable pressure.

India ended the opening quarter in command, turning a slow start into a dominant spell and giving themselves the perfect platform to begin their World Cup campaign with a statement win.