The semi-finalists for the women's competition have been decided following a thrilling day here in Beijing. They are The Netherlands, Germany, Argentina and China. The Netherlands will face Argentina, with Germany up against host nation China. For full details of how it all happened, please read the reports below.
Germany defeat Japan 1:0 (0:0)
One goal, scored early in the second half, was enough today for the title holders to step out of reach and secure their berth in the semi-finals as top of the table in pool B, leaving Argentina, Great Britain and the USA to battle it out for the other spot in the afternoon.
Despite Germany putting considerable pressure on their opponents from the beginning, attacking up high, the game stayed locked down for most of the first half, with neither team able to create much danger. The game went into half time without goals, the teams tied at nil all.
After the break, Germany quickly scored the first goal of the match however, which would turn out to be the only goal of the encounter and the winning goal. A free hit, quickly taken by 2007 WorldHockey Young Player of the Year Maike Stoeckel was deflected from close range by Janine Beermann.
The goal gave Germany a boost and they started to control the game, leaving Japan with little room to pursue the elusive equalizer. Despite frantic attempts from the Asian side, Germany held on to their win and the certain progression to the semifinals as winners of pool B.
It was a hard earned and narrow but well deserved win for the Germans who keep their dream of defending the title alive.
Korea defeat South Africa 5:2 (4:0)
After an early goal from Sung Hee Gim, making good use of a penalty corner with a deflection off an Eun Sil Kim shot, Korea had some trouble translating their superiority into goals until a scoring spree towards the end of the half saw them soar away to a 4:0 lead.
Seon Ok Lee got the second goal for her side, sending the ball into the net on a penalty stroke, and added her second minutes later with a penalty corner flick. Mi Hyun Park piled on the fourth goal for Korea, eluding a defender and slotting a powerful reverse stick shot past South African goalkeeper Mariette Rix.
After the break, South Africa reacted well, scoring their first two goals of this Olympic tournament in the second half as Kate Hector scored with a low flick on a penalty corner and Vida Ryan scored on the rebound from a Cindy Brown penalty corner flick.
It was not enough however to put pressure on Korea who scored one more goal when Eun Sil Kim sank a penalty corner on the other end of the field to maintain a comfortable three goal lead in the final result.
Korea will now be taking on Japan in their last match in Beijing to play for 9th place on Wednesday, while South Africa have their last test on Friday, playing New Zealand for 11th place.
Great Britain draw USA 0:0 (0:0)
Victory in this match was going to keep the winning team in contention for a spot in the semi-finals with the possibility of going through if Argentina failed but the Great Britain and USA could not go beyond a lacklustre and goalless draw today.
In the first half, the USA had clear advantages, including seven penalty corners, none of which could be converted.
After the break, Great Britain asserted themselves better and were able to create a few opportunities too, but for much of the time, the game was locked down in ineffective banter, without dangerous situations or shots on goal.
The minutes ticked down towards the end without either side being able to score, and the final score stood at nil all, a result that theoretically kept Great Britain in contention for a semi-final spot - but only if Argentina lost their last group stage encounter by more than seven goals.
Netherlands defeat Spain 2:0 (1:0)
Maartje PAUMEN of The Netherlands levelled the record for the number of goals at a single Olympic Games women’s tournament by netting the first goal in a comfortable 2:0 win over Spain. Spain gave the world number 1 side a good work-out ahead of semi finals, but The Netherlands were far too strong for their opponents, becoming the only team in the women’s contest to win all of their pool matches.
The first half started extremely slowly, but soon picked up as both sides created decent chances. Spain went close in the 10th minute when Gloria COMERMA and Esther TERMENS link up well down the right to create a chance for Montse CRUZ, but she could not finish the opportunity. The Netherlands were always the more likely team to score though, and Marilyn AGLIOTTI looked as though she might open the scoring in the 20th minute, but did not make the contact she wanted when shooting from close range. The Netherlands won their first penalty corner in the 21st minute, and Maartje PAUMEN slammed the effort into the goal to give her side the lead.
The second half was dominated by The Netherlands, but they could not manage to find a way past the impressive Maria Jesus ROSA in the Spanish goal. Eventually though, they did get their second, with Ellen HOOG dribbling around the goalkeeper before hitting into the goal.
The Netherlands took a fully deserved victory, and look in sensational form ahead of the semi finals.
Argentina defeat New Zealand 3:1 (1:1)
The situation was clear when the match began: all Argentina had to do was to not lose by more than 7 goals to stay in the semifinals. An easy enough task, especially against a team that was still without points in the competition, one should assume, and the Leonas soon confirmed that assumption with an early goal from Carla Rebecchi who made good use of a Marine Russo pass.
The Argentineans never managed to show the fire that had carried them to an impressive win over Germany two days ago however, and remained scoreless while with two minutes to go in the first half, Niniwa Roberts deflected a hit into the circle from Emily Naylor for the equalizer.
Inspired by the sudden realization that the much favored Argentineans in today's shape were within their reach, the Blacksticks came out for the second half looking for more but instead were hit with a double whammy when Soledad Garcia and Marine Russo sunk two goals lass than three minutes apart.
Garcia's gola was a spectacular one too, as she went into the circle on the far left and fired a beautiful reverse stikc shot into the far corner. Russo came into the circle from the far right and hit a high ball from the edge of the circle to take the scoreline to 3:1.
The Kiwis played their hearts out in the remaining 25 minutes and saw a shimmer of hope when Lizzie Igasan converted a penalty corner to get them on the Leonas' heels, but that was all they could do. Argentina protected their lead slowing down the game, and when the final whistle sounde, celebrated their march into the top four elatedly.
For the Blacksticks it was a disappointing fifth consecutive defeat, four of which have been by one goal only, and they really would have deserved a little more, today and overall. They now face South Africa in the match for 11th place on Friday.
China draw Australia 2:2 (1:0)
Host nation China delighted a huge crowd by drawing with Australia, putting them into the Olympic semi-finals alongside Germany, The Netherlands and Argentina.
With The Netherlands already qualified for the medal matches, China versus Australia was a “winner takes all” contest in Pool A, although a draw would be good enough for China due to their superior goal difference. China went 2:0 up thanks to a couple of great strikes from Hong Xia LI, but goals from Casey Eastham and Sarah Young pulled it back to 2:2 with just eight minutes left to play. Australia pressed hard, but China secured the draw they needed to reach the Olympic semi-finals. China will face defending champions Germany in the last four, which is certain to be watched by another massive crowd.
2008 Olympic Games, Women – Beijing, China
Results Monday 18 August
Germany - Japan 1:0 (0:0)
GER Janine BEERMANN (FG) 40min
Korea - South Africa 5:2 (4:0)
KOR Sung Hee GIM (PC) 6min
KOR Seon Ok LEE (PS) 23min
KOR Seon Ok LEE (PC) 29min
KOR Mi Hyun PARK (FG) 32min
RSA Kate HECTOR (PC) 51min
KOR Eun Sil KIM (PC) 58min
RSA Vida RYAN (PC) 66min
Great Britain - USA 0:0 (0:0)
Netherlands - Spain
NED Maartje PAUMEN (PC) 22mn
NED Ellen HOOG (FG) 69mn
Argentina - New Zealand 3:2 (1:1)
ARG Carla REBECCHI (FG) 15min
NZL Niniwa ROBERTS (FG) 33min
ARG Soledad GARCIA (FG) 43min
ARG Marine RUSSO (FG) 46min
NZL Lizzie IGASAN (PC) 61min
China – Australia 2:2 (1:0)
CHN Hong Xia LI (FG) 30min
CHN Hong Xia LI (FG) 38min
AUS Casey EASTHAM (PC) 51min
AUS Sarah YOUNG (FG) 62min
