LONDON – The Netherlands beat eight-time Olympic champion India 3-2 in the opening match of the men's field hockey at the Olympics Monday. Australia skipper Jamie Dwyer scored a hat trick to help his No. 1-ranked side defeat South Africa 6-0, and still was not satisfied with his team's performance. In another match, Pakistan held the Beijing silver medallist Spain to a 1-1 draw. Both sides created many chances, but only forward Rehan Butt converted for Pakistan in the 46th minute and Pau Quemada scored for Spain a minute later. Earlier, You Hyo-sik scored both goals as South Korea beat New Zealand 2-0. In the day's final match, host nation Britain overpowered Argentina 4-1. The Netherlands pulled ahead of India early after Roderick Weusthof scored from a penalty corner. Robert van der Horst scored next to help his side end the first half 2-0 ahead. India, which dominated men's hockey for almost half a century but has been in a slump for years, started the second half strongly with forwards Dharamvir Singh and Sarvanjit Singh finding the net in the 45th and 48th minute to level the scores. Mink van de Weerden scored a winner for the Netherlands. “Our forward line was poor and we must improve on our finishing," said India midfielder Sardar Singh. “We made a good comeback in the second half. We took our chances and we felt more in control of the match." Australia encountered little resistance from the South Africans. — AP
