Fancied teams Belgium, Netherlands and Germany posted comfortable wins in respective opening matches of the 15 th Mens Hockey World Cup in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar, Odisha today. New Zealand also started their campaign with a convincing win on the second day of the flagship tournament of the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
Reigning Olympic and World Champions Belgium lived upto their reputation by outclashing Korea 5-0 in the opening Pool-B match at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Two-time World Cup champions Germany also won their first Pool-B match in style, getting the better of Japan 3-0 at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
Earlier in the day, three-time champions Netherlands made a sound start in Pool C, drubbing Malaysia 4-0 at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela. New Zealand won the first match in Pool C, getting the better of debutants Chile 3-1 in Rourkela.