Hockey: NZ women lose to Japan

New Zealand lost their opening game at the women's hockey Champions Challenge tournament 2-1 to Japan in Catania, Sicily, yesterday.

After a scoreless first half, Sachimi Iwao and Tomomi Komori give Japan a 2-0 lead, and they had a few other chances to increase the count.

Niniwa Roberts brought New Zealand back into the game with a goal from a penalty corner and the Black Sticks searched desperately for the equaliser but Japan held on.

New Zealand play the United States overnight in their second game.