New Zealand hand Holland
second defeat

World and Olympic champions Holland suffered their second successive defeat, going down to New Zealand 1-3 in the Six-nation men's hockey tournament at the National hockey stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on Saturday.

In the second match of the day, Australia beat Japan 3-1 to register their second victory in the tournament. Japan suffered their second defeat.

The victory was the first for the Kiwis, who had lost 2-4 to Australia on Friday.

Hari Bevan scored twice as the Kiwis won with surprising ease. He opened the scoring with a field goal in the 14th minute and then made it 3-0 with another field goal in the 47th minute after Brett Leaver had made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half.

Holland, who were routed 3-0 by Pakistan on Friday, got a consolation goal through Remco Van Wijk a minute before full time.

New Zealand should have won by a bigger margin had it not been for some poor finishing.

In the second half, Holland stepped up their game and created a few chances but their forwards were unable to beat goalkeeper Michael Bevin.

Australia have it easy

Australia had things their way in their match against Japan. They led by two goals to nothing at the breather through goals from Matthew Wells and Troy Elder. The last-named made it 3-0 soon after resumption in the second half before Japan could pull one back through Naohiko Tobita eight minutes from time.

Australia shot ahead in the 15th minute through Wells, who scored from a penalty-corner set-piece.

Elder made 2-0 a minute from the breather from a penalty-corner and then added another to his name, also from a penalty-corner hit, in the 48th minute.

Tobita's goal for Japan also came from a penalty-corner.

Day 1 report: Pakistan rout Holland in six-nation hockey