THE HAGUE: Australia and Netherlands recorded victories in their women’s hockey world cup matches at Netherlands’ capital The Hague on Thursday.
Australia edged past Belgium 3-2 in a nail-biting encounter.
Anna Flanagan put the Australians ahead after scoring in the 16th minute but Belgian Stephanie De Groof equalized the match for her side on the brink of half time.
Jodie Kenny again took the lead for the Australians after netting the ball in the goal three minutes into the second half but Jill Boon of Belgium leveled the score line in the 42nd minute.
Boon scored her second and sealed the victory for the Australians in the 54th minute.
South Korea vs Japan ended in a 1-1 draw.
Jongeun Kim put the Korean side ahead in the 32nd minute but Shihori Oikawa equalized the score line two minutes after half time.
New Zealand were beaten 0-2 by Netherlands.
Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvei scored the first goal for the Dutch in the fifth minute of the match and Kim Lammers doubled the lead for her side in the 30th minute thus ensuring the victory.
