Australia, Germany and defending champion Netherlands won their second straight matches in the women’s field hockey World Cup on Wednesday.
Ashleigh Nelson scored twice to help Australia defeat India 6-3, Germany edged Japan 2-1 and Netherlands had a 7-3 victory over New Zealand in the Pool A matches.
India, Japan and New Zealand all lost for the second time at the tournament.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Two teams in Pool B have also won their two matches — England and Argentina. On Tuesday, England defeated China 1-0 and Argentina defeated South Korea 1-0.
Madonna Blyth gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute, but India leveled six minutes later through Rani Rampal. Nelson gave Australia the lead just before half-time. Ritu Rani equalized for India early in the second half, but Australia responded with three unanswered goals from Casey Asthma, Nicole Arnold and Nelson. Rampal scored late for India and Shelly Liddelow got Australia’s final strike.
“I’m pleased to come away with three points,” Australia coach Frank Murray said. “I am not happy that we gave up three goals, but I am content with the result.”
Germany’s Natascha Keller scored the winner with nine minutes remaining in a very tight comeback victory. After a scoreless first half, Ai Murakami gave Japan the lead with Maike Stoekel equalizing as Japan tried to counterattack and stretch the lead. Keller’s clincher came on a perfectly placed shot in the top corner.
“I think Japan defended very well and so it was hard to get circle penetrations,” Germany coach Michael Behrmann said. “It was troubling to get one-nil down, but we were thinking and fighting to win.”
Behrmann said the chilly temperatures at the end of the South American winter bothered his team.
“I think for most teams it is hard to play in the cold. It is like winter in Germany and I am sure in Japan too,” he said.
The Dutch have now scored 14 goals in two games.
Dutch coach Herman Kruis has been stunned by the goal production.
“This a real dream,” he said. “I hoped we would make a quick start and this is a really great start.”
The Kiwis also had a star in Krystal Forgesson, who scored her team’s three goals in her 100th cap for New Zealand.
Yesterday in Pool B it was to be: South Africa vs China, England vs South Korea, Spain vs Argentina.
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