Argentina overcame South Korea in their opening match ©Getty Images

Olympic champions Argentina began their Hockey World League (HWL) semi-final campaign with a narrow victory over South Korea in London.

Argentina made a bright start to the match at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Gonzalo Peillat struck the opening goal of the match after 26 minutes of play, but South Korea eventually pulled level through Lee Namyong.

Peillat would score the crucial goal in the encounter, firing home after a penalty corner to give Argentina a 2-1 victory.

The second Pool A match of the day saw the host nation secure victory against China in their opening match.

Barry Middleton and Mark Gleghorne scored England’s goals to seal a 2-0 win in front of a home crowd.

India suffered an early surprise in their Pool B match, when Chris Grassick gave Scotland a 1-0 lead in their match.

England secured a 2-0 victory in front of their home crowd ©Getty Images
England secured a 2-0 victory in front of their home crowd ©Getty Images

Two goals from Ramandeep Singh turned the match in India’s favour, before Akashdeep Singh gave them a 3-1 lead.

India’s win was sealed when Harmanpreet Singh struck home from a penalty corner.

A sixth minute effort from Thierry Brinkman gave the Netherlands a foundation for victory over Pakistan in their first Pool B tie.

Mirco Pruijser, Mink van der Weerden and Robbert Kemperman added to the scoreline, giving them a 4-0 win.

Action will continue tomorrow with Argentina taking on Malaysia in Pool A, while Canada will take on Pakistan.