Champions' Cup runner-up China got a flying start by trouncing arch-rival Japan 3-0 in the Pool A opener of the women's hockey tournament at the Athens Olympic Games Saturday.

With the victory, China becomes a hot favorite to rank top two of Pool A and sail into the semi-finals.

Forward Fu Baorong shot home the opener with a dive, by catching a pass from Chen Hui in the 6th minute.

China, winner of 2002 Champions' Cup in Macao, China, dominated the match and scored the second in the 40th minute by shooter Tang Chunling. Chen Qiuqi added the third four minutes from time.

Struggling Japanese managed only a few shots throughout the match.

In the day's opener of Pool B, the Netherlands overwhelmed South Africa 6-2.

In Pool A, China is also to meet New Zealand, Spain, Argentina, while Pool B brackets Australia, Germany, South Korea, the Netherlands and South Africa.

The 2004 Athens Olympic women's hockey tournament features two pools of five teams each in the single round-robin preliminaries, followed by semifinals, finals and classification matches. Top two teams from each pool qualify for the knock-out semi-finals.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2004)