Hockey World Cup 2023: Indian coach Graham Reid happy to start with win

India's chief coach Graham Reid said his players ticked most of the boxes in the 2-0 win over a tricky Spain in their opening Hockey World Cup encounter.

Reid also praised the home team's defensive efforts to deny their opponents any chances, stating he was pleased with how his players managed to keep Spain out on the night.

"The boys were able to take the ball out of the goal. It was a good start. It is good to get the first game and it is done now and we will now focus on the next game," Reid said at the post-match press conference.

"We did practice of playing with 10 men as we thought at some point in the tournament we are going to play with 10 men. It was good. We got in front a lot today and that was very important. We were first with the ball and that makes a lot of difference in these sort of games."

"What is pleasing today is one the defensive effort and the second we handle the ball very well. There were not too many people who did not play well. That is what you need to win a World Cup. We need to continue it in the next game," he added.

India will play England in their second Pool D match at the Birsa Munda Stadium on Sunday.

Also read: Hockey World Cup 2023: Indian start campaign with 2-0 win against Spain