Hockey World Cup 2018 highlights: Minnows China stun England with 2-2 draw

In today's first hockey match, defending champions Australia beat Ireland 2-1. China gave the first upset of the tournament by holding England for a 2-2 draw.

Defending champions Australia registered a convincing 2-1 victory over Ireland in their first Pool B match of the ongoing 14th edition of the Men's Hockey World Cup here at the Kalinga Stadium on Friday.

Australia, who are one of the favorites to win this prestigious tournament, were expected to play a dominant game with the lower ranked Ireland and so they did. In the very first minute of the match, Australian players were inside the Ireland D but the Irish defenders did a good job to deflate the attack.

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Check FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2018 points table here

The world number side continued to attack the Irish goal post and all their attempts reaped fruit in the eleventh minute of the match when they got their first penalty corner. Their forward player Blake Govers made a stunning strike to score the first goal for his side.

After a couple of minutes, Ireland struck back as they scored an equalizer in the 13th minute of the match. Irish forward player Shane O'Donoghue pounced on to a pass from Eugene Magee and made hit a beautiful stroke with an absolute precision to make it 1-1 by the end of the first quarter.

8:25 PM

There goes the final hooter. China have restricted England on a draw. 2-2. This is the shocker of the tournament. Hand it to the Chinese. They played out of their skins and they deserve the draw. 

8:23 PM

Minute and half to go., England in trouble. 

8:23 PM

This is the shocker of the match. Live this moment people, this was not expected. 

8:22 PM

Minute 58: Penalty corner for China. They score. 

8:21 PM

Minute 57: China withdraws goalkeeprer, extra field player sent in. 

8:17 PM

Minute 54: China giving it all but no use, they are not able to do anything substantial. 

8:12 PM

Minute 50: China now on the offensive and their defence is a bit jittery. England can take advantage here. 

8:09 PM

Minute 48' What a strike, what a powerful reverse strike by England. That is beauty fo a goal. England ahead 2-1 ANSELL scores for England

8:08 PM

Minute 47: Possession still with England. China testing the class and creating an impression. 

8:06 PM

With 15 minutes to play, will China hold England and take their first point in their first ever world cup, or will England trump them?

8:04 PM

End of third quarter. 1-1

8:03 PM

English men lurking around the Chinese circle. What an opportunity was missed there. A poor pass inside the circle. This should have been a goal. 

8:02 PM

Minute 42: Some fast hockey on the display by England. China making them work really hard to retain the ball possession. 

7:58 PM

Minute 40: England are now launching attacks every minute possible. Brilliant pass in the circle. Lack of coordination among English men. 

7:55 PM

Minute 38: Oh that was a briliant move by the English men, there was absolutely no one but the goalkeeper. Somehow the ball did not find the net,.