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.
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
