FIH Hockey World Cup action recap

England’s men beat Pakistan 4-1 in their opening World Cup group match

England got their Hockey World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 4-1 victory over Pakistan at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amsterdam.

England set the tone early, taking the lead in the 12th minute when Stuart Rushmere finished smartly from open play to make it 1-0. Pakistan were reduced to ten men for a spell midway through the first half after Abu Mahmood received a green card in the 20th minute, and England looked to press home their advantage as the half went on.

The second quarter brought further reward for England's control of the game. Sam Ward doubled the lead in the 28th minute with a well-taken field goal, and Samuel Hooper added a third from a penalty corner just three minutes later to send England into the break firmly in command at 3-0.

England continued to dominate proceedings after the restart, and James Albery got in on the act himself, converting a penalty corner in the 47th minute to make it 4-0. Pakistan did find a way back into the contest through Afraz, who pulled a goal back in the 50th minute, but it proved to be no more than a consolation as England saw out the win in comfortable fashion.

Tom Sorsby was named the player of the match.