Netherlands, Germany launch campaign with impressive wins

Hosts Netherlands made a rousing start to their campaign in the Rabobank World Cup, humbling Argentina 3-1 in a men’s Pool B tie at the Kyocera Stadium in The Hague. The 3^rd ranked side drew first blood through Valentin Verga in the 26^th minute, before the 11^th ranked Argentineans evened things up through a penalty corner conversion by drag-flick expert Gonzalo Peillat as both sides were locked 1-1 at half-time.

The Dutch regained the lead early in the second half when Mink van der Weerden fired home a short corner. The home side chalked up the insurance goal through Rogier Hoffman midway through the second half and went on to seal a convincing win.

Meanwhile, world number one and 2010 runner-up Germany were in cruise mode, easing to a 4-0 win. Vastly experienced Chritstopher Zellar gave the black brigade the lead before Thilo Stralkowski doubled it close to half-time. Matt Grambusch made it 3-0 in the 56^th minute before Oliver Korn netted the fourth three minutes later to pave the way for a high satisfying 4-0 win. In another men’s Pool B tie New Zealand sneaked past Korea 2-1.

In the women’s section, 10^th ranked USA created an upset of sorts upstaging England 2-1, while 6^th ranked Germany drew 7^th ranked China 1-1. Defending champions and 2^nd ranked Argentina crushed 11^th ranked South Africa 4-1.

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