ENGLAND’s team started their bid to win hockey’s Women’s World Cup yesterday with a match against India in Amstelveen, but defending champions and  favourites Holland have already left their mark on the tournament with Saturday’s 5-1 mauling of Ireland.

The Dutch amassed their total with penalty strokes from goal machine Frederique Matla, penalty corners by Yibbi Jansen and Sabine Plonissen and a Maria Verschoor field goal; Ireland’s sole reply came from Roisin Upton’s penalty corner.

Also at the Amstelveen stadium, Germany beat debutants Chile 4-1, while at the tournament’s other location, the Estadi Olimpic de Terrassa in Catalonia, Spain, Argentina showed their potent attack were on form with a 4-0 win against South Korea.

Joint hosts Spain established their credentials with a 4-1 win over Canada in World Cup’s opening match on Friday, while England and India’s rivals in pool B, China and New Zealand, came to a 2-2 draw in Holland on Saturday.

The 16-team tournament, organised by the International Hockey Federation, is held every four years. The semifinals and final will be played out in Catalonia on Saturday and Sunday July 16 and 17.