BEIJING, May 6: Defending champions Germany avoided favourites The Netherlands but were pitted alongside Athens bronze medallists Argentina in the draw for the women’s Beijing Olympic field hockey tournament on Tuesday.

The Germans, the world number three, will also play Japan, New Zealand, Britain and the United States in Pool ‘B’ in a round-robin format, with the top two teams progressing to the semi-finals.

The Netherlands are in a tough group that also features world number four Australia and world number five China. Spain, South Korea and South Africa, the lowest-ranked team at 12, make up Pool ‘A’.

As rank-outsiders, Germany earned their first-ever Olympic women’s field hockey gold medal when they shocked The Netherlands 2-1 in the final four years ago.

Argentina took the bronze with a 1-0 win over China in the play-off for third place.

The full match schedule for Beijing will be announced later this month.

Pool ‘A’: The Netherlands, Australia, China, Spain, South Korea, South Africa.

Pool ‘B’: Argentina, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Britain, United States.—AFP