Japan score big win

Our Correspondent

A fine brace of goals by Sakae Morimoto was the highlight of Japan's thumping 5-0 victory over Belgium on the second day of the women's World Cup hockey qualifier in Abbeville, France, on Tuesday.

Morimoto opened the floodgates for Japan in the Pool B match five minutes from half-time, finding the mark from a field goal.

In the second session, she scored again from a field goal in the 42nd minute, after Toshi Tsukui had made it 2-0 in the 38th minute.

Yuko Morishita (50th) and Sachimi Iwao (59th), from a penalty-stroke, completed the rout.

In other matches in Pool B, Lithuania staged a grand recovery to hold Scotland 2-2 while Russia prevailed over Canada by a solitary first-half field goal, scored by Galina Bassaitchuk in the 24th minute.

Scotland looked like emerging easy winners over Lithuania after going 2-0 up by the 25th minute through goals from Rhona Simpson (7th) and Sue McDonald (25th). However, the former Soviet republic came back strongly to snatch a well-deserved point.

Dalia Petrutyte reduced the margin with a field goal two minutes from half-time before Giedre Gaidamaviciute could find the equaliser from a penalty-corner in the 53rd minute.

Earlier report
Day 1: Indian eves start on winning note