August 15, 2008	Friday	Sha'aban 12, 1429

BEIJING, Aug 14: Defending champions Germany and main rivals Australia and the Netherlands moved closer to the semi-finals of the Olympic women’s field hockey with their third wins on Thursday.

The German girls, who won their maiden Olympic title at Athens four years ago, beat the United States 4-2 in a Pool ‘B’ match after being locked 1-1 at half-time.

The Dutch, who lost the Athens final to the Germans, overcame a fighting China 1-0 in Pool ‘A’ with Maartje Paumen scoring the winner with a penalty corner in the 21st minute.

Former champions Australia joined the Dutch at the top of the pool with a 3-0 win over South Africa, the goals coming from veteran Nicole Hudson, Angela Lambert and Casey Eastham.

Argentina kept their semi-final hopes alive from Pool ‘B’ with a 2-1 win over Japan, their first success after two unlikely draws against Britain and the United States.

However, New Zealand and former Asian champions South Korea crashed out of the semi-final race with their third successive defeats.

The Koreans lost 2-1 to Spain in Pool ‘A’, while New Zealand conceded an early lead to go down to Britain by the same margin in Pool ‘B’.

Dutch coach Marc Lammers, whose world champion side was given a fright by the hosts, said he was very impressed the way the Chinese played.

“We were lucky to win today,” he said. “The Chinese have improved a lot in the last few months. They are a much stronger side now, a physical and strong team. It was a difficult match for us and I am glad we came out of it well.”

China’s Korean coach Kim Chang-Back, whose team made the semi-finals at Athens, said there was a lot to learn from the Dutch.

“They are the top team in the world and showed it on the field,” said Kim. “They have outstanding technique and are able to adjust to different situations. We study each opponent and try and take the good points.”

China, who dropped their first points in the tournament, play Kim’s home team South Korea next on Saturday.

“There are no special feelings about playing against a team from my country,” said Kim. “I am the Chinese coach and want China to win.”

The Germans began tentatively against the American girls, who had forced creditable draws against Argentina, winners of the Champions Trophy ahead of the Games, and Japan in their first two matches.

The Americans, ranked 11th in the world, took the lead through Tiffany Snow’s 27th minute opener, but Natascha Keller ensured the Germans went level at half-time with a solo effort in the 34th minute.

Fanny Rinne and Marion Rodewald pumped in two penalty corners after resumption and even though Angela Loy reduced the margin for the Americans, Anke Kuehn scored Germany’s fourth goal.

“It was not as easy as the scoreline suggests,” said German coach Michael Behrmann. “But I am happy the girls showed good temperament in the second half. No match is a walk-over and the Americans proved that today.”

—AFP