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The Samsung Hockey World Cup got underway today with all six matches decided by one goal in an extremely close day of competition in Madrid.
England, Spain and Korea were day's most impressive winners, with narrow victories ensuring they placed early pressure on their respective Pool opponents.
Despite allowing China to equalise twice after earning the lead, England maintained their structure and work rate to eventually prevail. It was a performance that will have fellow Pool A opponents worried as England continued their strong World Cup Qualifier form.
China was favoured to win following their strong showing at the Rabo Hockey Champions Trophy in Amsterdam but it was England who looked the more accomplished outfit.
In the day's other upset, home team Spain scrapped their way to a win over a disappointing Germany.
A penalty corner goal in the second half was enough for Spain - unfancied before the tournament - to score a morale-boosting win while Germany was unable to sufficiently deal with the desperation of their opponents.
After Germany took the Champions Trophy title in July to move to number three in the world rankings, they were expected to have little trouble overcoming an inexperienced Spanish team.
However with the home ground advantage, Spain worked tirelessly throughout the match and grabbed the winning goal midway through the second half.
Korea meanwhile Korea got their campaign off to a strong start against Japan to firm as one of the main favourite for the title.
Japan took an early lead but Korea's penalty corner battery provided the answers
In other day one matches, Australia did just enough to edge South Africa while the Netherlands, the world number one, raced to a three-goal lead before just hanging on against a plucky India.
In the late match, Argentina scored two first half goals before USA staged a brief comeback before falling just short of the Pan Am champions.
Tomorrow's matches are reserved teams in Pool B.
