Miyu suzuki

Marang Gomke Astro Turf Hockey: Former Asian Games gold medallist Japan scored a goal in each half to open their campaign in the women's FIH HOckey Olympic Qualifiers with a comfortable 2-0 win over Czech Republic at the Marang Gomke Astro Turf Hockey Stadium here on Saturday.

Japan took an early lead in the Pool A match, with Miyu Suzuki converting a penalty corner in the fourth minute and then maintaining their upper hand to add another goal via Shihori Oikawa off a penalty stroke in the 40th minute to emerge victorious.

Japan dominated possession and made some good attacks as they kept the Czech Republic's defence under pressure for most of the match. They earned eight penalty corners, the sixth of which resulted in a penalty stroke off which they scored their second goal.