GUANGZHOU: Defending champions China crossed a major hurdle towards the final of the Asian Games women's field hockey with a 3-1 win over Japan on Friday.
Zhao Yudiao scored two goals and Gao Lihua one as the Chinese girls, seeking a hat-trick of Asiad titles, joined South Korea at the top of the round-robin league with four successive wins.
Japan, silver-medallists behind China at Doha four years ago, could only manage a consolation goal through Ai Murakami after the hosts grabbed a 3-0 lead by half-time.
Japan, with three wins from four matches, must win their remaining games against Thailand and South Korea to remain in contention for Wednesday's gold medal clash.
India blanked Thailand 13-0 for their second success in four matches, captain Surinder Kaur leading the way with four goals.
Rani Kumari scored a hat-trick and Subhadra Pradhan netted two penalty corners in an Indian goal-spree that was joined by Chanchan Thokchom, Saba Anjum, Poonam Rani and Joydeep Kaur.
Thailand have lost all four matches so far.
Meanwhile, Malaysia secured their first full points in five games when they defeated Kazakhstan 4-2.
Norazlin Sumantri scored two goals, and Nadia Rahman and Fazilla Silin one each to hand Kazakhstan
