Women's Hockey Day 5 Review: China, Germany, Argentina join Dutch in semis

(BEIJING, August 18) -- The Netherlands, China, Germany and Argentina made it to the semifinals of the Women's Hockey competition after the final round of preliminary matches were played at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Monday, August 18.

The Netherlands, the only team to qualify for the semifinals before the fifth round of matches, continued their winning streak as they defeated Spain 2-0. The result had no bearing on Spain's position as they finished fourth in Pool A. Maartje Paumen of the Netherlands scored another goal to take her tally to eight.

Germany defeated Japan 1-0 and became the second team to qualify for the semifinals as Pool B winners. The goal scored by Janine Beermann was enough to give Germany four wins out of five in the preliminaries and set up a showdown with China in the semifinals.

The loss placed Japan in fifth position in pool B and they will now play in the 9-10 classification match, a result that will not improve on their eighth-place finish at the 2004 Athens Games.

Argentina maintained their unbeaten streak in the competition as they recorded their third win, a 3-2 victory over New Zealand. The loss pushed New Zealand to the bottom of Pool B without any points and they will play South Africa for the 11-12 positions. Argentina, runners up in Pool B, will meet the Netherlands in the semifinals.

China was the last team to make it through to the semifinals after their draw with Australia. The draw was enough to see China through on superior goal difference while Australia's surge in the final minutes went unrewarded. Li Hongxia's two goals carried China into the semifinals against Germany while Australia will hope to maintain their fifth-place finish in Athens when they take on Great Britain in the 5-6 Classification playoff.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) finished fifth in pool A, after defeating South Africa 5-2. South Africa's two goals in the game, their first in the competition, were not enough to prevent them from finishing last in the pool and they will play New Zealand for the 11-12 positions. The ROK and Japan will battle for the 9-10 spots.

The goalless draw between Great Britain and the United States was the first in the 2008 Olympic Hockey competition. The draw placed Great Britain third in pool B and they will play Australia for the 5-6 positions. The United States failed to convert nine penalty corners as they finished fourth in Pool B and face Spain in the 7-8 Classification playoff.