Spain and South Africa won their matches on the initial day at Rabobank Champions Challenge in Virginia Beach.

In the opening game Spain defeated Japan with a furious second half, 5-2. 

Japan had a better start into this match. Spain goalkeeper Maria Jesus Rosa had to block several Japan shots in the first half. And it was also Japan leading after 28 minutes by a PC shot rebound which Sakae Morimoto put in. Only five minutes later Spain equalized with a field goal from Maria Gomez. In the last minute of the first half Miyuki Nakagawa could score the second goal for Japan to give them a 2-1 lead at half time.

Spain directly started attacking from the first minute of the second half, so that it wasn’t surprising that they equalized again after 4 minutes. It was Olalla Pineiro with a field goal. During the following time, Spain played very concentrated and took the lead by two other field goals of Rocia Ybarra and Racquel Huertas in the 42nd and 44th minutes.

Finally it was Ester Termens who fulfilled the Spanish victory with her goal after a PC variation in the last minute of the match.

In the second match of this day both teams had the possibility to win, but in the end England and New Zealand played to a 1-1 draw.

England took the lead after 27 minutes with a field goal by Leisa King following a great attack over the right wing. This was also the halftime score. New Zealand pulled even after 39 minutes with a field goal by Kayla Sharland.

It was a powerful match where England and New Zealand showed their wish to win. But in the end were the real chances missing on both sides.

The host USA was defeated 2-1 by South Africa in the last match of this day.

Angie Loy, USA, shot the first goal of this match in the closing minutes of the first half.  Following a PC variation in the 33rd minute Loy, who inserted the ball on this PC, took the rebound off South African goalkeeper Caroline Jack and put it into the goal. 

Pietie Coetzee tied the game for South Africa in the second half with a penalty stroke. In the 47th minute it was Tarryn Bright who scored the winning-goal  for South Africa.

USA had several chances late in the half, but they often were unlucky at the end.

Competition continues on Saturday 9 July with Japan v England at 16:00, South Africa v Spain at 18:00 and New Zealand v USA at 20:00.