New Zealand 2 defeated India 0

Goals: Hayden SHAW PC 63m, David KOSOOF FG 69m

Amidst intermittent but mostly heavy rain, the BDO Champions Challenge here in Boom got underway today with the encounter between New Zealand and India. Not only were both sides keen to get a good start into the event, but it was also the first match in a major tournament for both coaches, newly appointed Indian head coach Joaquim Carvalho as well as Kevin Towns' successor Shane McLeod.

India's performance was noticeably improved over last year's showings at the World Cup and Asian Games, hinting at the brilliance and flair that were once considered the team's virtues, but it was not enough to keep at bay the stubborn Kiwis today.

Without being markedly superior to their Indian counterparts, the Blacksticks wore down the Indian defense over the course of the match and were eventually rewarded with a string of opportunities in the match's last ten minutes. Having had to wait for their first penalty corner for almost 60 minutes, New Zealand then had four within four minutes, the last of which penalty corner specialist Hayden Shaw converted into the lead for his side with a missile of a flick to the top right corner of the goal.

Once on the scoreboard, the Kiwis looked re-energized and put ever increasing pressure on the deteriorating Indian defense. As the gaps started to open up, New Zealand had several more chances and finally scored a beautiful goal in the 69th minute when Philipp Burrows smartly laid the ball off to David Kosoof after a powerful run into the circle. Kosoof made no mistake and touched it in to establish the final score of 2-0.

Japan 2 defeated Belgium 1

Goals: Ryuji FURUSATO FG 16m, Takahiko YAMABORI PC 58m; Charles VANDEWEGHE FG 12m

The day continued with the tournament's two lowest ranked team battling for crucial points in their campaigns, much of this match still in at times torrential rain.

The hosts had reason to celebrate early when a smart touch from Charles Vandeweghe deflected a ball from Max Luycx past goalkeeper Shunsuke Nagaoka, but their joy was short-lived as the equalizer came within minutes as Ryuji Furusato hammered a shot past Cedric Degreve from the edge of the circle.

Degreve was pivotal for his side in today's match overall, making a number of great saves, as were the Vandeweghe brothers Loic and Charles who have taken on leading roles in this young side. With their help, the hosts kept the match open for most of the 70 minutes but they eventually could not avoid Japan getting the better of them as Takahiko Yamabori took advantage of a penalty corner late in the match to give his team the winning goal.

Having hoped for a grand entrance to their home tournament and come so close, the hosts were visibly disappointed over this defeat at the hands of the Asians. Their spirited performance however quite clearly stated their determination and their potential to upset the plans of some other competitors in his tournament.

Argentina 4 defeated England 3

Goals: Jorge LOMBI PC 18m FG 40m, Lucas REY PC 45m, Rodri VILA FG 51m; Richard ALEXANDER FG 13m, Simon MANTELL PS 52m, Ben HAWES PC 58m

Match number three today, the clash of tournament favorites England and Argentina, ended the day on a high note with some very fast-paced and exciting hockey and England almost catching up with Argentina after seeing the South Americans pull away to 4-1.

Argentina started strong but could not find the net and suddenly found themselves trailing behind when Richard Alexander finished off a blitz attack with a hit from the edge of the circle that deflected off an Argentine stick to go past VIVALDI to give England the lead. Ever green Argentine superstar Jorge Lombi smothered their joy five minutes later however with one of his trademark penalty corner goals. After that, the first half saw high power hockey from both sides but no more goals, and the teams went into half time at 1-1.

When play resumed, it was once more Jorge Lombi time, giving his team the lead for the first time in the match, uncharacteristically scoring a field goal in tipping a Juan Gilardi free hit into the net. Argentina piled on two more with young Lucas Rey converting a penalty corner in Jorge Lombi's absence and Rodri Vila scoring a lovely field goal after having been left alone in the circle and outplayed England goalkeeper James Fair.

Stunned by the sudden three goal lag, England embarked on a desperate campaign to make up leeway and soon found themselves within striking distance again after Simon Mantell had made good use of a penalty stroke, conceded by the Argentines through a wholly unnecessary foul, and Ben Hawes had lobbed a penalty corner lay-off over Juan Vivaldi.

And it looked like they were going to salvage points from this encounter too, England getting stronger and stronger towards the end of the match while Argentina struggled increasingly to keep their opponents at bay. Second half yellow cards for Richard Mantell and Rob Moore did not help the aspirations of the English however, and Argentina went all out to hold on to their first day win here in Boom.