Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 14: In Pool C matches of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup on Saturday in Rourkela, the three-time champion Netherlands got off to a strong start by defeating Malaysia 3-0 while New Zealand upset Chile 3-1.
Sam Hiha stwo-quarterseld goals in the first two quarters of the first game of the day (at the 11th and 18th minutes), while Sam Lane scored the first goal for the Black Sticks in the ninth minute with another field goal. Ignacio Contardo scored the lone goal for Chile in the 49th minute.
In the other Pool C encounter, Thijs van Dam’s field goal in the 19th minute gave third-ranked Netherlands, who have won the championship three times in 1973, 1990, and 1998, the lead before Jip Janssen’s successful conversion of a penalty kick four minutes later.
A minute into the fourth and final quarter, Teun Beins (46th) converted a penalty corner to make it 3-0 for the Netherlands.
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The Dutch are in first place in Pool C over New Zealand, who also have three points from the victory, due to a greater goal differential.
On Monday, Malaysia will play Chile as the Netherlands and New Zealand square off in the second pool match. Later in the day, reigning world champions Belgium will face Korea, while world no.4 Germany will play against Japan in Pool B matches in Bhubaneswar.
