AFP/London
Defending champions The Netherlands eased to a 3-0 win over Belgium while World Cup holders Argentina coasted to a 7-1 victory against South Africa on the first day of Olympic Games women’s hockey. Elsewhere, New Zealand pulled off a 1-0 victory over former champions Australia, while Asian Games champions China outplayed South Korea 4-0. Kim Lammers fired two field goals and Caia van Maasakker capitalised on a late penalty corner to launch the Dutch campaign with a sound win over hard-working Belgium in Pool A. The Dutch dominated the game, but were kept at bay until Lammers opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when she shot in after picking up a long pass from Eva de Goode. Lammers was again on mark in the 42nd minute on a pass from Ellen Hogg before van Maasakker rounded off the scoring in the 60th with a low penalty corner drive. Captain Luciana Aymar converted two penalty corners in the first session to lead Argentina’s scoring spree against the South Africans. Josefina Sruoga, Silvina D’Elia and Noel Barrionuevo scored from penalty corner action while Martina Cavallero and Carla Rebecchi fired in field goals as Argentina stamped their authority over South Africa in Pool B. The South Africans got a consolation goal through Dirkie Chamberlain on a counter-attack. New Zealand rode on an early goal from Cathryn Finlayson in the Pool B match to score their maiden victory in the Olympic Games against rivals Australia. It was the first time the Black Sticks had taken even a point off Australia in the Olympics. They had always lost by at least three goals in the past. Finlayson scored from a corner in the third minute with a follow-up shot from eight yards after the initial drive by New Zealand captain Kayla Sharland had been saved. New Zealand were the more cohesive team but both sides created enough chances to have added to the score. “It was not pretty, we were lucky. They hit the post,” said Kiwi coach Mark Hager. Australian coach Adam Commens admitted his team paid for missing opportunities. “We created enough chances, and when you do so you should be able put the ball in,” he said. China came back to form after two lean years with what their coach Kim Sang-Ryul described as an “unbelievable” win over South Korea in Pool A. China had not beaten their Asian rivals in their previous nine matches. “Everything went right for us today. I have had faith in this team. Others doubted me. Such a result against Korea,” said Kim. Ma Yibo helped by scoring her side’s first and last goals with penalty corner shots, the others came from Zhao Yudiao and Li Xongxia.