India, Aug. 16 -- India made a winning start to their men's Hockey World Cup campaign, defeating Wales 3-1 in a Pool D match here on Saturday, with captain Harmanpreet Singh scoring twice from penalty corners. Playing in front of a large crowd at the nearly 10,000-capacity Wagener Stadium on country's Independence Day, India dominated for long periods and were 3-0 ahead before Wales scored late in the fourth quarter.

Harmanpreet, who was named Player of the Match, converted penalty corners in the 11th and 43rd minutes, while Sanjay scored from a direct drag-flick in the eighth minute. Sam Welsh pulled one back for Wales with a field goal in the 56th minute.

India, seeking their first World Cup medal since their gold-winning campaign in ...