Saturday, September 9 2006 11:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moenchengladbach: European champions Spain starts their World Cup hockey campaign in style by crushing Australia 3-1 in a pool A match late Thursday (7 Sep, 2006).

Pakistan also wins their very first match thrashing Japan 4-0 in pool A. Title favorites the Netherlands, who shockingly lost to South Korea 2-3 Wednesday (6 Sep, 2006), beat South Africa 2-0 in pool B.

In the first match of Thursday (7 Sep, 2006), England overcame India 3-2 in pool B. It was India's second defeat after the 2-3 loss to hosts Germany.