Men's Hockey World Cup: Australia beat Ireland 2-1 in first Pool B encounter

In the Men's Hockey World Cup 2018 , defending champions Australia beat Ireland  2-1 in the first Pool B encounter at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar yesterday. At half time, both the teams were  level at 1-1.  

In the second Pool B match,  18th ranked China gave the first upset of the tournament by holding World Number 7 England for a 2-2 draw. Both the teams were  level at  1-1 in the first half.

Today, Pool D matches will be played between Netherlands and



Malaysia at 5 p.m. and between Germany and Pakistan at 7 p.m.  After making  a perfect start to their campaign in Pool C by beating South Africa 5-nil, India will play its next match in Pool C against Belgium  on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Teams finishing top of the pool will directly qualify for the Quarter Final, while  teams finishing second and third will play cross-over matches for a place in the last 8 stage. Teams ending last in their respective Pool will be eliminated.