Japan continued to impress in the Hockey World Cup with a shock win over the higher-ranked New Zealand on Tuesday. Despite a goalless draw against Belgium, Australia topped Pool D with four points.
Japan and New Zealand prevented each other from scoring in the first half at the Lee Valley Tennis and Hockey Centre in London. Then, in the 35th minute, Japan opened the scoring. Shihori Oikawa converted a penalty corner to put her team ahead.
Japan, the 12th ranked team in the world, didn’t take long to double their lead. Shihori Oikawa struck a field goal in the 48th minute to put the Black Sticks under pressure.
New Zealand, ranked fourth in the world, earned a penalty stroke eight minutes before full-time and Anita McLaren promptly converted to salvage a goal for her team. But the Japanese held them off for the rest of the match to get their first win of the tournament and go to the third place in Pool D.
Japan went down fighting 2-3 to Australia in the first match.
The Aussies, in their second match, couldn’t get past the Belgian defence and had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Germany will take on Argentina and USA will play hosts England in Wednesday’s matches.
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