Korea beat China in women's hockey World Cup

Rosario: South Korea upset fancied China and Argentina's Luciana Aymar scored a hat-trick as the hosts began the women's hockey World Cup with a 5-2 win over South Africa on Sunday.

England beat Spain 3-2 with Alex Danson scoring the English team's first goal in her 100th international in the other Group B match of the opening day of the tournament in Rosario, 350 km north of Buenos Aires.

Park Mi-Hyun scored a brilliant winner with a reverse-stick flick at the end of a solo run down the left skipping challenges as South Korea came back from a goal down to beat 2008 Olympic silver medal winners China 2-1.

Korea beat China in women's hockey World Cup

Kim Young-Ran had equalised after Zhao Yudiao had scored the first goal of the tournament to put the Chinese ahead early in the first half from open play. Susie Gilbert scored England's winner late in the first half as Spain enjoyed more possession but were always fighting to stay in the match once Danson had equalised Gloria Comerma's early opener.

Crista Cullen and Carlota Petchame scored goals in quick succession for each side to make the score 2-2 with half an hour on the clock.

Argentina's tactical change moving Aymar upfield gave them the edge against South Africa in the second half after the teams had changed ends level at 1-1.

Noel Barrionuevo put Argentina in front from a penalty corner before Pietee Coetzee equalised. Aymar quickly put the Champions Trophy holders two goals clear scoring in successive minutes from open play.

She added her third with eight minutes remaining, moving across to the right at a short corner to drill a low shot inside the near post. In the final minutes, Vida Ryan caught the home defence napping and shot into the top left corner from the edge of the circle before Marine Russo rounded off Argentina's win.

"It was a dream debut. We were so nervous before the match we couldn't sleep," a relieved and beaming Aymar told Argentine television. "I'm really enjoying this (tournament) in my home town. I'd never even scored three in one match for my club," she added.

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