Earlier in the day, Netherlands defeated Pakistan 3-1 after 1-1 score at lemon break, while London Olympics Gold Medalists Germany held nerves to beat New Zealand 3-2 after leading 3-0 till half time. The hosts Kookaburras survived late scare from world n...    [More]

Earlier in the day, Netherlands defeated Pakistan 3-1 after 1-1 score at lemon break, while London Olympics Gold Medalists Germany held nerves to beat New Zealand 3-2 after leading 3-0 till half time. The hosts Kookaburras survived late scare from world number 8 side Belgium to win the game 4-2, after taking 3-0 lead in 37th minute and seeing it 3-2 at one point in the game (40th minute).

In the last of match of day, England took lead through Richard Smith in 15th minute on a penalty corner, when his drag flick found the net after taking nick on India's first rusher Raghunath's stick. Danish Mujtaba scored equalizer for India in 22nd minute, when chopped ball with one-handed reverse stick over advancing English Goalie George Pinner. And the scores remained locked until half time.

After the lemon break, Yuvraj Walmiki's quick reaction on waist height ball on far post earned lead for India in 38th minute. England pressurized India for equalizer to earn some penalty corners but failed to convert them into goals and also missed to connect cross balls in front the goal post. But counter attacking India earned their 3rd penalty corner with just 4 minutes to go for final hooter. Indians used variation in this PC, with Raghunath as dummy flicker, captain Sardar Singh unleashed strong push towards right post, which was deflected in by Gurvinder Singh Chandi to make 3-1 which took the away from England.

It could have been different results if relatively inexperienced side of England would have en-cashed their chances. England had five debutants, next five with 10 or below international matches under their belts, another three each between 10-50 and 50-100 international appearances and captain Barry Middleton who has played 264 international matches for England and Great Britain, while 18th member of the squad Patrick Smith, the Cannock Goal Keeper, is yet to make international debut.

Summary of Day One Results: 2012 Men's Champions Trophy.

Game 1: Netherlands 3 def Pakistan 1 (half time 1-1)
NED -- Sander deWijn (31m PC; 45m PC), Jeroen Hurszberger (56m PC)
PAK -- Muhammad Waqas (17m FG),

Game 2: Germany 3 def New Zealand 2 (half time 3-0)
GER -- Tobias Matania (2m PC), Jan Christopher Ruehr (21m FG), Oliver Korn (26m FG)
NZL -- Matt L'Huillier (56m PC), Nicholas Wilson (66m FG)

Game 3: Australia 4 def Belgium 2 (half time 2-0)
AUS -- Glenn Simpson (4m PC), Jacob Whetton (29m PC), Russell Ford (37m FG), Chris Ciriello (62m PC)
BEL -- Sebastien Dockier (38m FG; 40m FG)

Game 4: India 3 def England 1 (half time 1-1)
IND -- Danish Mujtaba (22m FG), Yuvraj Walmiki (38min FG), Gurwinder Singh Chandi (66m PC)
ENG -- Richard Smith (15m PC)

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