Intro:

Australia beat Japan 4-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy on Thursday (4th December).

Script:

The second quarter final of the Champions Trophy saw Australia take on Japan.

The Australian Hockeyroos set their stall out early with three goals in the first ten minutes.

It didn't take long for Georgia Nanscawen to open the scoring with the fastest goal of the tournament so far after just four minutes.

Jodie Kenny then grabbed Australia's second and third to put them 3-0 ahead with just nine minutes on the clock.

The Cherryblossoms stepped up their own game to contain their opponents but showed little attacking flair of their own.

They eventually got on the scoreboard in the 51st minute with some snappy passing splitting the Australian defence and Shiho Otsuka provided the finishing touch.
But the Hockeyroos restored their three goal advantage just three minutes later when another set-piece move saw Anna Flanagan put the ball into the top of the goal.

They held on to take a 4-1 win and book their place in the semi-finals.