PERTH, Nov 27: Olympic champions Australia made it three wins out of three at the women’s hockey World Cup here Wednesday with a hard-earned 2-1 win over plucky Ireland in Pool B.

A spectacular backstick shot from Katrina Powell proved decisive for the Hockeyroos, who had earlier opened the scoring with a Karen Smith strike from a penalty corner.

Bell had given his team a half-time dressing down after Ireland had pulled a goal back through Jenny Burke for a 2-1 scoreline at the break.

In Wednesday’s earlier matches, Japan battled back from a goal down to upset 11th-seeded USA 2-1 in another Pool B game.

In the earlier match, Spain beat South Africa 3-1.

Spain 3 South Africa 1