New Zealand 4 defeated Japan 0

Goals: Hayden Shaw PC 31m PC 38m, Ryan Archibald FG 33m, Philip Burrows PC 49m

In today's first encounter between New Zealand and Japan, the Blacksticks left their opponents without a chance. The Kiwis controlled the game during the whole 70 minutes, even though they needed more than 30 minutes to first get on the scoreboard. A double hit before half time with a Hayden Shaw penalty corner conversion and a field goal from Ryan Archibald, deflecting a hit into the circle past Shunsuke Nagaoka.

Shortly after the break, Hayden Shaw sank another cracking penalty corner, Nagaoka getting to the ball and deflecting it but unable to withstand the brute force of the flick. The Kiwis had scores of penalty corners in the second half but managed to convert no more despite several valiant attempts from Hayden Shaw to complete a hattrick today.

New Zealand could get one more goal in in the 49th minute when Philip Burrows took advantage of a brilliant lay-off from Ben Collierm but the deal was sealed already, Japan having no means to keep their opponents at bay today. The Asians had started well but faded fast after the double hit at the end of the first half gave New Zealand a two goal lead. The bigger part of the second half was then spent containing the damage and keeping the scoreline from increasing.

Shane McLeod's side was clearly the better team today and won deservedly, their compact game and concentrated efforts taking them to the top of the standings after day two.

Belgium 3 defeated Argentina 2

Goals: Gregory Gucasoff PC 6m PC 32m, Thomas Briels FG 54m; Juan Gilardi PC 40m, Jorge Lombi PC 68m

In the second match of the day, hosts Belgium stunned a listless and disorganized Argentina, defeating them with 3 goals to two.

Belgium went into the match at full steam and after 6 minutes already had a head start with the first of Gregory Gucasoff's pair of goals today. Gucasoff's penalty corners invited comparisons with Jean Philippe Brule, Belgium's prolific penalty corner specialist of the past, in their incredible speed and great accuracy.

Gucasoff's second of the day shortly before half time however gave the Belgians a two goal lead, leaving the Argentines to go into their half time talk with their heads hanging.

After the break, Argentina looked better but still had a hard time to contain the Belgians who were palying as if their life depended on it. Juan Gilardi managed to sink a penalty corner in a lovely variation with a lay-off from Jorge Lombi, only to see the hosts pull away again with a goal from young Thomas Briels. The goal happened while Argentina was one man down with Pedro Ibarra sin-binned for a rough tackle. The suspension came at an inopportune time and didn't help Argentina in their efforts to catch up with their opponents.

The ever reliable Jorge Lombi put away one goal in the dying minutes of the game to get his team within one goal of their opponents again but the Argentines ran out of time and had to accept defeat.

After yesterday's win over England, Argentina disappointed todaym while Belgium had a much improved showing in their second match, much to the joy of the numerous supporters of the home team.

India 3 defeated England 2

Goals: Rajpal Singh FG 28m, Dilip Tirkey PC 41m, Prabjhot Singh FG 54m; Richard Mantell PC 33m, Jonty Clarke PC 48m

Day two of the BDO Champions Challenge in Boom concluded with the match between India and England, both looking for their first points after defeats in their opening matches yesterday.

India came out energetic and well-disposed, looking much better than yesterday but it was England who had the better chances in the first half with a number of short corners, none of which could be converted, thanks to many a good save by Adrian D'Souza. India on the other hand took the lead in the 28th minute when Rajpal Singh hammered a brilliant pass back from the back line into the roof of the goal.

England still managed to level scores before half time, when Richard Mantell took advantage of an interesting penalty corner routine that had Ben Hawes weave his way into the circle from the top of it, then lay off the ball to Mantell waiting to the left.

The two teams thus went into half time tied at one goal eachm but only minutes after the end of the break, England found themselves trailing again as India pulled away again with a Dilip Tirkey penalty corner hit straight at the goal and deflected up into the net by England goalkeeper Nick Brothers.

Jonty Clarke levelled scores once more, hitting in the rebound off a Richard Mantell penalty corner flick, but India had found the sweet taste of victory to their liking and stepped ahead once again within five minutes as Prabhjot Singh lobbed a great pass across over Nick Brothers for the 3-2 final score.

India came through the winner in this match that could have gone either way, thanks to a solid effort and a bit of luck. They will certainly be elated at this good result which gives them their first points and confines England to the bottom of the table with two defeats in as many matches.