Australia beat Malaysia 4-0 in hockey World Cup opener

HAGUE: Title defenders Australia have started their hockey World Cup campaign in the Netherlands with a 4-0 win over Malaysia in the opening match on Saturday.

Playing in The Hague, Glenn Turner put the Kookaburras ahead in the 25th minute before three goals in a four-minute spell in the second.

Eddie Ockenden doubled the lead on 50 minutes and Jamie Dwyer put his name on the score sheet a couple of minutes later.

Turner added his second goal when converting a penalty corner to extend the lead to 4-0.

Later on Saturday, Belgium will take on India with England playing Spain in the men's competition.