Danny Kerry's team settled relatively quickly, pushing Belgium back and dominating possession.

They struggled to create clear cut chances in the opening quarter, but went ahead on half time through Ashleigh Ball's (pictured above, right and below, left) close range effort, which was the least their approach play deserved.

Shortly into the second period, Laura Bartlett finished well to double the advantage, while Crista Cullen netted a third late on following a penalty corner.

However, Kerry believes there is plenty of room for improvement – even though his team, without captain Kate Walsh, have scored 12 goals in three games here.


Ashleigh Ball plays a shot during the match against Belgium (in white) and Britain 

"We were nowhere near where we need to be in terms of executions for the amount of possession we had," Kerry said afterwards.

"We should have done more with that.

"That's understandable given the nature of having to jig things a little bit with missing Kate.

"That's two wins without one of the world's best players and playing with 15 [players].

"I've learnt through the years that it's not going to be brilliant hockey all the time.

"Sometimes you just find a way to win.

"Belgium have probably been the fastest improving side in international hockey over the past couple of years under Pascal [Kina, coach].

"Their draw with China was testimony to that."

Seul Ki Cheon (left) of South Korea celebrates scoring the opening goal against Japan

Britain are level on nine points in Group A alongside the Netherlands, whose 1-0 win over China, with a goal from Maartje Goderie ten minutes into the game, means they too are almost certain to be playing for medals.

China is realistically the only team who could progress to the last four at the expense of the Netherlands or Britain.

Like his British counterpart, Dutch coach Max Caldas was disappointed the his world number one ranked side did not win by more.

"It should have been 5 or 6-0," he said.

"I'm not happy that we had so many chances and not many goals.

"We did not score many goals, but I am happy with three victories."

South Korea still have mathematical hope of a top two finish, just, after Seul Ki Cheon (pictured above, left) scored the only goal of their game with Japan, who have yet to take a point.

Carla Rebecchi of Argentina (right) leads her team mates as they celebrate their goal against New Zealand 

In Group B world champions Argentina bounced back from defeat to the United States to beat New Zealand.

New Zealand had won their opening two games, but were under pressure from the start.

Argentina won two swift penalty corners, and although they could not score from either, it was not long until Carla Rebecchi (pictured above, right) struck.

Just after New Zealand had missed a glorious chance to equalise following a flowing breakaway in the second period, Argentina responded with a counter attack of their own, from which Rebecchi scored again.

Charlotte Harrison pulled one back for New Zealand with minutes to go, but they could not find an equaliser.

After the match, Argentine coach Carlos Retegui praised his team for playing a "great game" and ensuring they now have their own fate back in their hands.

"It was an important game we had to win," he said, before saying that Germany, their next opponents, will be "a very strong rival".

Germany's players (in white tops) celebrate after a goal against South Africa

"It will be a very difficult game, the stakes are high."

Australia beat the United States through a goal from Anna Flanagan just before half time, while Germany defeated South Africa thanks to goals from Marie Mavers and Fanny Rinne.

That means that Group B is poised delicately, with a quartet of teams on six points: New Zealand; Argentina; Germany; and Australia.

The United States have an uphill task to qualify as they are stuck on three points, while South Africa have yet to pick up a single point.

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