The tournament proper got off to modest start earlier in the day with World No 3 Belgium getting the better of World No 11 Canada 2-1 in the first Pool-C match. Felix Denayer and Thomas Briels scored a field goal each for Belgium, while Mark Pearson reduced the margin for Canada, converting a penalty corner. Arthur van Doren (Belgium) was named the Player of the Match. South Africa’s Jethro Eustice reached the 100 caps mark in this match.

As expected, the India-South Africa match was witnessed by a full-house of 15,000 spectators. They got full return of their money thanks to the goal deluge by the Indian team. Performance by cheer girls, blaring music and fireworks after every goal were other attractions of the opening day. One disturbing factor of the show was the convergence of massive amount of flying insects around the floodlights. Nothing could be done to stop their menace.

RESULTS:

Nov 28 (Match No 1, Pool-C): Belgium (Felix Denayer 3-FG, Thomas Briels 22-FG) beat Canad (Mark Pearson 48-PC) 2-1. PoM: Arthur van Doren.
Nov 28 (Match No 2, Pool-C): India (Mandeep Singh 9-PC, Akashdeep Singh 12-FG, Simranjeet Singh 43-FG, 46-PC, Lalit Upadhyay 45-FG) beat South Africa 5-0. PoM: Simranjeet Singh.
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TOP: Mandeep Singh celebrates after scoring the first goal for India on Nov 28, 2018.
RIGHT: Chinglensana Singh with the memento he received for making his 200th senior International appearance for India on Nov 28, 2018.