Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LONDON (AP) — Defending champion Netherlands scored three goals in the opening nine minutes in a 7-0 rout of South Korea in its opening Pool A game at the women's field hockey World Cup.
Frederique Matla struck in the opening minute of Sunday's game before Lidewij Welten and Kitty van Male scored to give the Dutch a commanding 3-0 lead.
Matla fired in her second and Kelly Jonker made it 5-0 in the 14th minute for the seven-time champions before Laurien Leurink and Van Male completed the scoring with just 23 minutes on the clock.
In Pool D, New Zealand beat Belgium 4-2.
Belgium responded through Louise Versavel and Jill Boon after going behind to Kelsey Smith's early opener.
New Zealand equalized through Shiloh Gloyn and Olivia Merry struck in the 32nd and 54th minutes to seal the win.
Also, Italy marked its first World Cup game in 42 years by upsetting Pool A rival China 3-0, and No. 3-ranked Argentina beat Spain 6-2 in their opening Pool C match.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
