LONDON, Aug 3: Defending Olympic women’s hockey champions the Netherlands and hosts Great Britain secured contrasting wins on Thursday to boost their semi-final prospects at London 2012.

In Pool ‘A’, the Dutch edged past China 1-0 in a repeat of the 2008 final, while Britain outplayed Belgium 3-0. Both teams have nine points from three matches, but Britain lead the table with a superior goal difference.

China, the third placed team in the pool, have four points from three matches.

World champions Argentina bounced back into semi-final contention after Tuesday’s loss to the United States when they defeated New Zealand 2-1 Pool ‘B’.

Carla Rebecchi scored both goals for Argentina in open play, in the third and 45th minutes, while New Zealand’s Charlotte Harrison reduced the lead in the 62nd. Argentina’s victory gave them six points from three matches and resulted in a four-way tie in the group.

Australia, Germany and New Zealand also have six points each from three games.

In the earlier matches, 20-year-old defender Anna Flanagan smashed in a penalty corner in the 32nd minute to score the winning goal in Australia’s 1-0 win over the United States; South Korea snatched its first win of the tournament, against Japan; and Germany recovered after a sluggish performance against Australia on Tuesday to beat South Africa 2-0.—AFP