Australia, Britain and The Netherlands all on target at FIH World League Final as Germany held again

World ranking leaders Australia opened their account with a tough 1-0 win over Belgium ©FIH

Five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer scored a solitary winning goal as Australia opened their International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League Final account with a narrow 1-0 victory over Belgium, while Olympic champions Germany were held to a draw for the second game in succession.

After playing a scoreless draw with London 2012 final opponents The Netherlands yesterday, the Germans faced hosts India in Raipur today.

Despite taking the lead with their first goal of the tournament courtesy of an unmarked Niklas Wellen, a partisan home crowd inspired the Indians to fightback.

The Asian Games champions were eventually rewarded when Akashdeep Singh scored a brilliant equalizer in the final quarter to complete a superb response to their opening day defeat to Argentina.

“We made far fewer unforced errors today than we did yesterday," said Indian head coach, Roelant Oltmans.

“Sometimes you need a result like that to show the way to play.

"I’m proud of the way we played, and this is where the tournament starts for us.”

Germany were held to a draw for a second successive day, this time by hosts India ©FIH

An entertaining 3-2 victory over Argentina enable the Dutch to take advantage of the German misfortune and lead Group B with one round to go.

Spectacular strikes from youngster Thierry Brinkman and Seve van Ass and a third from Roel Bovendeert put the European side 3-0 before two goals from penalty corner expert Gonzalo Peillat ensured a nervy finish.

World number one ranked Australia were unable to reach the sparkling standards of the first-half Dutch effort, but will be pleased to have overcome a strong Belgium team.

Dwyer fired home from a tight angle in the 22nd minute in a replay of the first-place match from the Hockey World League Semi-Final in Antwerp earlier this year.

Elsewhere in Group A, a brace from Simon Mantell inspired Great Britain to a 3-1 win over Canada.

Mantell needed just two minutes to open his account with a tap-in before Mark Pearson restored parity with a speculative cross from the right that found the bottom left corner.

A second from Mantell and a further strike from Alastair Brogdon made it 3-1 at half time, a lead the dominant Europeans would never relinquish.

Only teams in Group A will compete tomorrow, with Belgium facing Canada before Britain and Australia face-off for the right to lead the group.