Netherlands, Australia win opening matches in Champions Trophy

Quilmes, Argentina, Jan 14 (UNI) World champions Netherlands nailed Spain 3-1 while Australia and Argentina scored easy victories over Japan and Germany respectively in the opening fixtures of the BDO Women's Hockey Champions Trophy here.

The Dutch lived up to their billing as the favourites and faced no major problems to romp home and take full three points against the World Cup semifinalist opponents.

Carlijn Welten (12th minute), Naomi van As (40th) and Kim Lammers (64th) scored for Netherlands while Maria Romagosa (47th) netted the lone goal for Spain.

In the other two matches of the six-team elite tournament, World Cup runners-up Australia coasted an easy 3-0 victory over Japan while bronze medallist Argentina clinched a 2-0 win against Germany.

For Australia, Renee Trost (4th minute), Amy Korner (47th) and Peta Gallagher (65th) found the target while Noel Barrionuevo (9th) and Daniela Maloberti (29th) scored for Argentina.

Next fixtures: Netherlands VS Japan Australia VS Germany Spain VS Argentina UNI