Madrid, Sep 29 (DPA) Argentina and Australia moved to the top of Pool B with their second victories in their second matches at the women's hockey World Cup here.

Australia top the pool on goal difference after a 3-1 defeat of the US, while Argentina beat Japan 3-2 in a late night match Thursday.

Argentina needed three penalty corner goals to see off a stiff Japanese challenge.

Rosario Luchetti opened the scoring in the 9th minute. Augustina Garcia added a second six minutes later and Mercedes Margolot scored the third in the 41st minute.

The Asians replied with two goals in the last minute through Kaori Chiba and Chie Kimura.

Earlier, Sarah Taylor put Australia in front after nine minutes after continuous pressure but Kelly Doton equalised for the Americans with a fine strike three minutes later.

However, Australia maintained their dominance and took a deserved lead just before halftime thanks to a stunning goal from Nikki Hudson, who fired in a low reverse stick shot from the top right of the circle off a long corner.

Angie Skirving made it 3-1 on 58 minutes to secure the win for Australia, who move top on six points. South Korea are second on four, followed by Argentina on three.

The US, who lost their first match to Olympic bronze medal winners Argentina Wednesday, remain without a point and face an uphill task if they are to make it to the semi-finals.

In Thursday's earlier pool match, South Korea and South Africa, who lost their opening match to Australia, played out a goalless draw.