Debutant Sam Ward embraced his first-team opportunity in style as he netted a double to give the underdogs an unexpected victory on the opening day of action.

England, bronze medallists at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, began the better of the two teams and were rewarded after just six minutes when Alastair Brogdon knocked home a powerful backhand stroke.

The English then doubled their advantage against the run of play when Ward smashed the ball into an empty Australian goal after the ball bounce off the post.

The 23-year-old was only called into the team last week as a replacement for Henry Martin, forced out of the tournament with injury.

Five-time defending champions Australia would pull one back in the final quarter through Chris Ciriello as he flicked in a penalty corner.

Despite numerous chances to equalise, Australia were penned back again when Ward finished off a quick counter-attack to all but seal the victory for England.

The extra goal gives England the lead at the top of Pool A as they sit above Belgium, winners over Pakistan in the day's second fixture.

England produced the shock of the day at the Men's Champions Trophy as they upset Australia with a 3-1 win ©FIH/Koen Suyk



Pakistan's status as the world's best hockey nation has faded dramatically in recent years.

The image took another battering today as they fell 2-1 to a resilient Belgian side.

Tanguy Cosyns scrambled home the opener for Belgium in what would prove the only goal of the first half.

Captain Muhammad Imran moved Pakistan back to level terms just after the break as he wrong-footed Vincent Vanasch in the Belgian goal with his penalty stroke attempt.

Thomas Briels restored the Belgian lead in stunning style, however, finishing off with a delicate flip after Tom Boon eliminated a couple of defenders with some lovely stickwork.

The goal proved enough as Belgian held out for the remaining six minutes to record the a strong opening day victory.

The Netherlands proved too good for Argentina in the teams' opening day encounter, with the Oranjes running out 3-0 victors ©FIH/Stanislas Brochier



World Cup silver medallist The Netherlands got their campaign underway in style as they disposed of Argentina 3-0 in the opening match of Pool B.

Five penalty corners produced just a single goal for the Dutch side in the opening period as Mink van der Weerden flicked one past the Argentine 'goalkeeper.

The misses did not proof costly, however, with Robbert Kemperman doubling the Oranje's lead late in the second quarter.

The rout was completed with just 11 minutes to go as Diede van Puffelen scored his first goal in his senior career to seal a 3-0 lead and all three points.

Florian Fuchs brought heartache to the 7,000 fans inside the Kalinga Stadium as he knocked home a last gasp winner to seal a 1-0 win for Germany over hosts India in the final match of the day.

He struck with the last meaningful play of the game, winning the battle with the otherwise immaculate PR Sreejesh for the ball before firing home a great backhand finish.

Pool play continues in India tomorrow where England will look to double their points tally when they take on Pakistan.

Australia will be hoping to bounce back from their shock defeat when they face Belgium, while Pool B sees Germany take on The Netherlands and Argentina battle with India.

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