New Zealand rallied to a superb 3-2 win over gritty Canada in their Pool A opening match of the hockey World Cup at Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Monday.

The Black Sticks, who were trailing 1-2 at the breather, made a strong comeback in the second session.

Indian-origin player Priyesh Bhana (11th minute), Nicholas Haig (47th) and veteran play maker Ryan Archibald (67th) scored for New Zealand.

For Canada, who were dominant till midway of the opening session, Mark Pearson (2nd minute) and Philip Wright (20th) found the target.

Defending champions Germany rallied after being outpaced early on by South Korea to draw their opening league match 2-2 on Monday.

The top Asian outfit scored two goals in the first 15 minutes to put Olympic champions Germany under pressure in the absence of several experienced players.

Florian Fuchs and Benjamin Wess scored in the second half for Germany, the world's top-ranked team who are aiming for a third straight world title.

Hyun Hye-sung put the Koreans 1-0 up through a penalty corner in the third minute and Lee Nam-yong scored off a spectacular reverse hit in the 15th minute to stun the Germans.

However, Germany, who lost 5-3 to Korea in the Champions Trophy in December, found their bearings after regrouping at the break.

Penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema scored a hat-trick to lead Netherlands to a 3-0 victory over Argentina. Taekema was in spectacular form as he converted three penalty corners to give the Dutch a winning start.

Taekema struck in the 14th, 35th and 61st minute as three-time champions the Netherlands stamped their class against Argentina who are the lowest ranked team in the 12-team tournament at 14th.

With this hat-trick, Taekema is just one goal away from equalling legendary country-mate and penalty corner specialist Floris Jan Bovelander's 17 World Cup goals.

Argentina play Korea in their second Pool A match on March 3, while the Netherlands take on New Zealand on the same day.