China, hoping for its first Olympic hockey medal, went back to the drawing board immediately after winning its opening women's pool A match on Sunday.

China, which finished fourth in the last Olympics at Athens, thrashed Spain 3-0 for maximum points but the margin could have been higher had some of the Chinese forwards converted chances.

Coach Kim Chang Back pointed this as an area that needed improvement even though the Asian Games champion looked impressive and a number of substitutions had been made to the forward line.

Fu Baorong of China jumps over Spain's Esther Termens' stick during their preliminary hockey match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 10, 2008. [Agencies]

"My team members were a little nervous and some players lost the opportunity to score," the South Korean told reporters through an interpreter.

"Therefore, we have to resolve the problem in the shooting circle so that we convert opportunities."

Fast-improving China was one of the most consistent teams at Athens and is a favorite for a medal on home ground.

"The main issue is how to make the best of the opportunities within the shooting circle. Many of them got the opportunity. We also have to make sure that the senior players are kept fresh."

China will also meet the Netherlands, which it lost the third place to in this year's Champions Trophy, Australia, South Korea and South Africa in the preliminary phase.

The other group has Argentina, world champion Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Britain and the United States.

The top two teams in each group will contest for medals.