Japan defeated New Zealand 2-1 in the opening game of Olympic women's field hockey tournament in Beijing on Sunday.

Morimoto Sakae gave Japan the lead in the 12th minute and Tsukui Toshie added a second from a penalty corner five minutes later.

The first half ended 2-1 after Claxton Jaimee pulled one goal back for New Zealand.

The second half saw no scores for both sides and Japan sealed the win.

The New Zealand next face defending gold medalists Germany while the Japanese take on the United States on Tuesday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)