Scotland score first win

Our Correspondent

Scotland scored their first victory in Pool B of the women's World Cup hockey qualifier when they beat Malaysia 3-1 at Abbeville, France, on Friday.

Sue Fraser put them ahead in the second minute when she drove hard and true from their first penalty-corner.

Olympian Rhona Simpson increased the lead in the tenth minute with a rasping shot from field play.

Down 0-2 at the breather, Malaysia came back strongly in the second session and reduced the margin in the 42nd minute, Norliza Sahli scoring from their first penalty-corner.

But that was as far as they could get as the Scots put the issue beyond doubt with Linda Clement's goal in the 57th minute.

For Malaysia, it was their second straight defeat from as many matches.

In the second match of the day, Japan and Russia played out 1-1 draw to keep themselves in the hunt for a semi-final berth.

Both teams have seven points, having won their first two matches.

Russia opened the scoring in the 16th minute -- after Japanese goalkeeper Nami Miyazaki denied them a goal earlier -- from a penalty-stroke, which was converted by Natalia Kravtchenko.

Japan equalised immediately into the second session through Keiko Miura, who scored from a penalty-corner.

In the third match of the day, Cananda were too good for Belgium, winning 4-0.
Goals by Sue Tingley, in the seventh (penalty-corner) and 17th minutes, gave the winners a 2-0 lead at the breather. Karen MacNeill made it 3-0 in the 47th minute from a penalty-corner before Kelly Rezansoff could complete the rout five minutes from time.

For Canada, it was their second victory from three matches while Belgium suffered their second loss from as many outings. Earlier reports
Day 1: Indian eves start on winning note
Day 2: Japan score big win
Day 3: Indian women lose to Ireland
Day 4: Kazakhstan give England a fright