As it happened | Hockey World Cup 2018: New Zealand 2-1 France

New Zealand pipped France 2-1 in its opening game of the World Cup campaign..

After a goalless first quarter, Kane Russell scored for New Zealand in the 17th minute and as France failed to convert opportunities in the later part of the second quarter, the Kiwis enjoyed a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Later, a long pass from midfield was well controlled by Stephen Jenness, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net, making the scoreline read 2-0 in New Zealand`s favour with just four minutes of play left.

It seemed France wouldn`t be able to open its account but Victor Charlet converted a penalty corner in the 59th minute to make the score 2-1.

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NZL's striker Stephen Jenness has powered the ball home to extend the lead 2-0 in the fourth and final quarter.

In the concluding minutes, France earned a penalty corner and converted it but that was not enough, as New Zealand defeated France 2-1.

After the end of third quarter, score remains unchanged.

New Zealand lead 1-0 against France.

But kudos to French defence, they have made some terrific saves.

At the end of second quarter, the score is 1-0 in the favour of  New Zealand.

As striker Kane Russell has scored to give his team the required breakthrough.

NZL had a couple of good back to back shots against France.

France are making an appearance in the Men's Hockey World Cup after 28 years.

The first quarter has ended and none of the teams failed to score.

A tight match... three more quarters to go.

Let's see which team will emerge as winner.

Here is the playing XI:

New Zealand: Cory Bennett, Marcus Child, Hugo Inglis, Stephen Jenness, Richard Joyce, Shea McAleese, George Muir, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (C), Nic Woods, Hayden Philips.

France: Artur Thieffry, Tom Genestet, Hugo Genestet, Victor Lockwood, Charles Masson, François Goyet, Cristoforo Peters-Deutz, Etienne Tynevez, Victor Charlet (C), Maximilien Branicki, Timothée Clément.

The second match of the day is between New Zealand and France. 

France is the lowest ranked team at the Hockey World Cup 2018 but coach Jeroen Delmee, who is a double Olympic gold medallist with the Netherlands, believes his side are more than capable of throwing a surprise.

"I don't think there is a huge difference between us and Spain and New Zealand. We could possibly produce a surprise result in our group." Jeroen Delmee, head coach of France.

On the other hand, New Zealand's coach Darren Smith will look to clinch the coveted trophy.

New Zealand 

Head coach: Darren Smith

Squad: Cory Bennett, Dane Lett, Nick Ross, Richard Joyce, Marcus Child, Jared Panchia, George Enersen, Aidan Sarikaya, Nic Woods, Kane Russell, Blair Tarrant (C), Arun Panchia, Shea McAleese, Stephen Jenness, Dominic Newman, Hugo Inglis, George Muir, Hayden Philips.

France 

Head coach: Jeroen Delmee

Artur Thieffry, Pieter van Straaten, Tom Genestet, Hugo Genestet, Blaise Rogeau, Victor Lockwood, Charles Masson, Nicolas Dumont, Gaspard Baumgarten, François Goyet, Cristoforo Peters-Deutz, Jean-Bapiste Forgues, Etienne Tynevez, Victor Charlet (C), Aristide Coisne, Maximilien Branicki, Timothée Clément, Corentin Saunier.