Australia, Germany and defending champion Netherlands won their second straight matches in the women's field hockey World Cup Wednesday. Ashleigh Nelson scored twice to help Australia defeat India 6-3, Germany edged Japan 2-1 and Netherlands had a 7-3 victory over New Zealand in the Pool A matches. India, Japan and New Zealand all lost for the second time at the tournament. Two teams in Pool B have also won their two matches –England and Argentina. On Tuesday, England defeated China 1-0 and Argentina defeated South Korea 1-0. Madonna Blyth gave Australia a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute, but India leveled six minutes later through Rani Rampal. Nelson gave Australia the lead just before halftime. Ritu Rani equalized for India early in the second half, but Australia responded with three unanswered goals from Casey Asthma, Nicole Arnold and Nelson. Rampal scored late for India and Shelly Liddelow got Australia's final strike. Germany's Natascha Keller scored the winner with nine minutes remaining in a very tight comeback victory. After a scoreless first half, Ai Murakami gave Japan the lead with Maike Stoekel equalizing as Japan tried to counterattack and stretch the lead. Keller's clincher came on a perfectly place shot in the top corner.
