Busan, Oct 07: Japan upset favourites China 2-1 in a fast-paced women's field hockey league match of the Asian Games at the Gangseo Stadium here today.

Yuka Ogura and Sakae Morimoto slammed the crucial goals for 1998 bronze medallists Japan, while Tang Chun Ling kept China in the game with a second-half strike. China, winners of the prestigious champions trophy tournament at Macau earlier this year, were stung by a team that increased the pace of the game as the match progressed. The reversal kept the four-team tournament open as China had earlier beaten India 2-0 and Japan had lost 2-3 to South Korea.

China's domination was restricted to the first 25 minutes of play, in which they earned six penalty-corners.

Japan slowly took control of the midfield with Sachimi Iwao playing pivot and opened the scoring with Ogura, who flicked in off a pass from Morimoto in the 33rd minute. China restored parity in the second-half when tang scored off a pass from Li Shuang on the left in the 42nd minute.

Their joy was shortlived as Japan went ahead again in the 44th minute with Morimoto putting the ball in off a pass from Kaori Chiba.

"We are delighted at the win, but it's not that it has come as a big surprise for us," said Japan coach Zenjiro Yasuda. "We knew we could beat china if we played to our potential." Yasuda felt the Chinese did not play well up front.

"They did not convert their attacks into goals. I also felt our blocking their long passes proved crucial."

Bureau Report