Japan go down fighting
to Holland

The Netherlands overcame a spirited Japan to register a 2-0 victory in the women's hockey World Cup in Perth on Monday, while England drew 2-2 with South Africa and the United States beat Ireland 2-1.

In the last match of the day, defending champions Australia laboured to a 1-0 victory over Spain.

The Netherlands weathered early pressure from Japan and forced two penalty-corners, with Mijntje Donners scoring a rebound goal in the eighth minute for the only goal of the first-half.

The Dutch defence was challenged and frustrated by Japan's speed, and Ageeth Boomgaardt received a yellow card following a clash of sticks two minutes from the break.

Boomgaardt made amends after returning to the field seven minutes into the second-half by converting a penalty-corner past Japanese goalkeeper Rie Terazono in the 47th minute.

Japan's head coach, Zenjiro Yasuda was proud of the way his team had played despite the loss.

"Japan was on a par with the Netherlands in the midfield which helped us control the match but zero points is not good enough even if we play well," Yasuda said.

Dutch coach Marc Lammers said his team did not play so well, but was nevertheless pleased with the result.

The later match got off to a sizzling start, with England and South Africa both scoring goals within the first four minutes.

England's Helen Grant scored in the second minute after working the ball one-handed from the attacking quarter line into the circle and driving past goalkeeper South African Caroline Birt.

Big victories on opening day

On Sunday, the opening day of the 16-team tournament, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia posted easy victories.

Australia beat the United States 4-0; five-time winners the Netherlands beat South Africa 3-0 and Germany downed Russia 4-0.

2002 Champions Trophy winners China had a slow start, playing to a scoreless draw with South Korea while England beat Ireland 3-1 and Japan and Spain played to a 1-1 draw.

In later matches, top-ranked Argentina beat New Zealand 1-0 while Ukraine got the better of Scotland 2-1.

The top two finishers in each of two groups will advance to the semi-finals in the tournament which ends on December 8.