USA plays for 7th against Spain tonight, Tues, Aug 20 online only at 7:30 PM.

MEN:
TD Decision - Germany Men 19 Aug 2008
Hearing into alleged breach of Reg 7.2 by 2 German players.
more -->

WOMEN:
TD Decision - China Women 19 Aug 2008
Decision of Tournament Director in respect of a hearing of breach of the code of conduct by China Women.
more -->

Olympic Reports - Day 10
19 Aug 2008 02:44

© FIH / Jeroen van Bergen

The men's semi-finalists for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are now known, with The Netherlands, Spain, Germany and Australia booking their places today.Spain will play Australia, with The Netherlands facing Germany on Thursday evening. For information on all the action, please see below. 

Netherlands defeat Pakistan 4:2 (0:1)

The Netherlands moved safely into the semi-finals of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games by getting all three points in their final Pool B match against Pakistan. The Dutch had to come back from being a goal down at half time, but strikes from Matthijs BROUWER, Taeke TAEKEMA (2) and a special goal from Jeroen HERTZBERGER sealed a convincing victory. They are the first team in the men’s competition to officially seal a place in the semi-finals, although fellow Pool B team Australia would need to lose to Great Britain by an unlikely eight goals to miss out.

Pakistan took the lead in the 27th minute thanks to an absolute ripper of a penalty corner from Muhammad IMRAN; his low effort slammed against the backboard with frightening pace. The Netherlands hit back in the 41st minute when the influential Teun de NOOIJER dribbled down the left before passing into the middle for Matthijs BROWER who made no mistake. A brace of goals followed from Taeke TAEKEMA, firing fierce penalty corner efforts into the top right corner of the goal in the 46th and 58th minutes. Pakistan pulled a goal back when Adnan MAQSOOD guided his penalty corner deflection into the net before Dutchman Jeroen HERTZBERGER scored the goal of the game, smashing a reverse stick shot in off the right post after being released by Teun de NOOIJER.

Netherlands will have to wait until later to find out their semi-final opponents, but are looking in excellent shape ahead of that match.

Netherlands – Pakistan 4:2 (0:1)
PAK  Muhammad IMRAN (PC) 27min
NED  Matthijs BROUWER (FG) 41min
NED  Taeke TAEKEMA (PC) 46min
NED  Taeke TAEKEMA (PC) 58min
PAK  Adnan MAQSOOD (PC) 65min
NED  Jeroen HERTZBERGER (FG) 69min

Germany defeat New Zealand 3:1 (2:0)

Goals from captain Timo WESS, Matthias WITTHAUS and Florian KELLER gave World Champions Germany a deserved victory over New Zealand. The result was good enough to put them in the semi-finals, forcing their opponents, into either the 5th/6th or 7th / 8th place play-off, depending on the result of the Korea versus Spain match this evening.

Needing a win to keep their Olympic Gold medal dream alive, Germany hit New Zealand hard from the moment the first whistle sounded, forcing their opponents deep into their own half. It took just five minutes for the defensive line to crack, when Timo WESS scored a powerful penalty corner to make the score 1:0. It was a captain’s goal from WESS, who produced the goods just when his side needed him most. Four minutes later the score moved to 2:0, when Matthias WITTHAUS brilliantly deflected the ball into the goal from the top of the circle. New Zealand had their best chance of the half when Phillip BURROWS picked up the ball on the backline, beat a couple of player and sent his pushed shot just wide of the right post.

New Zealand had another near miss just 20 seconds into the second half, when Simon CHILD chipped the ball over Germany keeper Max WEINHOLD only to watch it fall agonisingly wide of the target. Eventually though, their hard work paid off when Hayden SHAW slammed home a drag flicked penalty corner to make the score 2:1 in the 46th minute. However, Florian KELLER moved in from the right and stuck a superb third goal for Germany with fifteen minutes to go, killing off the New Zealand challenge. 

Germany – New Zealand 3:1 (2:0)
GER Timo WESS (PC) 5min
GER Matthias WITTHAUS (FG) 9min
NZL  Hayden SHAW (PC) 46min
GER Florian KELLER (FG) 55min  

Canada defeat South Africa 5:3 (2:2)

Canada and South Africa played out an intense battle that saw eight goals, five yellow cards and one red, with Canada running out 5:3 winners. A goal from Rob SHORT and two each for Wayne FERNANDES and Connor GRIMES gave Canada victory, but the match may well be remembered for other reasons.

South Africa took the lead through Austin SMITH, who powered in a 5th minute penalty corner ten minutes before Rob SHORT scored an equaliser, also from a penalty corner. The first yellow card was handed out to Canada’s Anthony WRIGHT in the 19th minute with another yellow card being dished out to Austin SMITH of South Africa in the same minute that countryman Lungile TSOLEKILE put RSA back in the lead. Canada’s Wayne FERNANDES grabbed another equaliser in the 31st minute before Connor GRIMES put Canada in front with a field goal. FERNANDES scored his second of the match to make the score 4:2 before Austin SMITH scored another penalty corner for South Africa. Clyde ABRAHAMS received a red card in the 60th minute for lashing out at a Canadian player with his stick, before yellow cards were handed out to Canada’s Bindi KULLAR and Austin SMITH once again. In the final minute of the match, Canada made the score 5:3 with a field goal to complete the scoring.

The result means that Canada will play in the 9th / 10th place play-off, with South Africa forced into playing off for 11th place.  

Canada – South Africa 5:3 (2:2)
RSA Austin SMITH (PC) 4min
CAN Rob SHORT (PC) 15min
RSA Lungile TSOLEKILE (FG) 28min
CAN Wayne FERNANDES (PC) 31min
CAN Connor GRIMES (FG) 38min
CAN Wayne FERNANDES (PC) 46min
RSA Austin SMITH (PC) 51min
CAN Connor GRIMES (FG) 70min

Spain defeat Korea 2:1 (1:0)

Spain defeated Korea to finish the pool stage at the top of the table and reach the semi-finals together with Germany.

All pressure was on Korea in their last pool stage match: the Koreans had to win to reach the semi-finals, while a draw or a win by Spain would put that team through.

Nonetheless, the Asians had a slow and listless start, unable to kick into gear, and were under early pressure from the Spaniards. Soon enough the advantage on the field translated into an advantage on the scoreboard when Santi FREIXA put away a beautiful goal, outplaying the Korean defense and goalkeeper.

The Koreans awoke with a start towards the end of the first half and pushed aggressively for the equalizer before the break but to no avail. When the teams were back for the second period, both teams had their chances in an open match but it was Spain who pulled further ahead when Santi FREIXA claimed his second of the day, converting a penalty corner.

At the other end, Spanish keeper Quico CORTES pulled spectacular saves through out the match to deny the Koreans on quite a few opportunities until Sung Hoon YOON sank a consolation goal with less than two minutes to go.

Spain are thus in the top four, contesting their semi-final on Thursday against an opponent that way yet to be determined, while Korea will play for 5th place the same day.

Korea - Spain 0:1 (0:1)
ESP Santi FREIXA (FG) 12min
ESP Santi FREIXA (PC) 53min
KOR Sung Hoon YOON (FG) 69min

Australia – Great Britain 3:3 (0:1)

Great Britain pushed Australia all the way in an exciting final Pool B match, with the Kookaburras needing a late goal from Eddie OCKENDEN to split the points. Australia had virtually qualified before the match even started, with Great Britain needing an unlikely eight goal victory, but it was still in the hands of the Aussies to decide which team they would face in the semi-finals.  

A closely fought first half saw many chances, although Australia were far from at their best in this match. Great Britain took the lead in the 34th minute when Barry MIDDLETON got in front of his marker to touch a Jonty CLARKE cross into the goal from close range. Australia were level five minutes after half time when Bevan GEORGE – the most unlikely of goal scorers – put the ball over the line when GB failed to effectively clear a penalty corner.

Jamie DWYER then put the Aussies ahead with an instinctive volley in the 45th minute and Australia threatened to run away with it. However, GB’s Richard Mantell had other ideas, flicking in an equaliser just two minutes later.

It got even better for Great Britain when Rob MOORE blasted in a third with 15 minutes to go. Australia drew level with two minutes to go, when Eddie OCKENDEN tapped in from close range to kill off what would have been a memorable win for Great Britain.

Australia – Great Britain 3:3 (0:1)
GBR Barry MIDDLETON (FG) 34min
AUS Bevan GEORGE (PC) 40min
AUS Jamie DWYER (FG) 45min
GBR Richard MANTELL (PC) 47min
GBR Rob MOORE (FG) 55min
AUS Eddie OCKENDEN (FG) 68min

Belgium defeat China 3:1 (2:1)

Belgium took all three points against China to claim their first win at an Olympic Games in 32 years. More to follow...


Day 10 Results










China - Belgium 1:3 (1:2)
CHN Yi SONG (PC) 4min
BEL Xavier RECKINGER (PC) 28min
BEL Jerome TRUYENS (PC) 32min
BEL Joh-John DOHMEN (FG) 48min

© FIH / Gordon Morrison

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.
Germany - Japan 1:0 (0:0)
GER Janine BEERMANN (FG) 40min

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.

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

Great Britain draw USA 0:0 (0:0)

Victory in this match was going to keep the winning team in contention for a spot in the semi-finals with the possibility of going through if Argentina failed but the Great Britain and USA could not go beyond a lacklustre and goalless draw today.

In the first half, the USA had clear advantages, including seven penalty corners, none of which could be converted.

After the break, Great Britain asserted themselves better and were able to create a few opportunities too, but for much of the time, the game was locked down in ineffective banter, without dangerous situations or shots on goal.

The minutes ticked down towards the end without either side being able to score, and the final score stood at nil all, a result that theoretically kept Great Britain in contention for a semi-final spot - but only if Argentina lost their last group stage encounter by more than seven goals.

Great Britain - USA 0:0 (0:0)

Netherlands defeat Spain 2:0 (1:0)

Maartje PAUMEN of The Netherlands levelled the record for the number of goals at a single Olympic Games women’s tournament by netting the first goal in a comfortable 2:0 win over Spain. Spain gave the world number 1 side a good work-out ahead of semi finals, but The Netherlands were far too strong for their opponents, becoming the only team in the women’s contest to win all of their pool matches.

The first half started extremely slowly, but soon picked up as both sides created decent chances. Spain went close in the 10th minute when Gloria COMERMA and Esther TERMENS link up well down the right to create a chance for Montse CRUZ, but she could not finish the opportunity. The Netherlands were always the more likely team to score though, and Marilyn AGLIOTTI looked as though she might open the scoring in the 20th minute, but did not make the contact she wanted when shooting from close range. The Netherlands won their first penalty corner in the 21st minute, and Maartje PAUMEN slammed the effort into the goal to give her side the lead.  

The second half was dominated by The Netherlands, but they could not manage to find a way past the impressive Maria Jesus ROSA in the Spanish goal. Eventually though, they did get their second, with Ellen HOOG dribbling around the goalkeeper before hitting into the goal.

The Netherlands took a fully deserved victory, and look in sensational form ahead of the semi finals.

Netherlands - Spain
NED Maartje PAUMEN (PC) 22mn
NED Ellen HOOG (FG) 69mn

Argentina defeat New Zealand 3:1 (1:1)

The situation was clear when the match began: all Argentina had to do was to not lose by more than 7 goals to stay in the semifinals. An easy enough task, especially against a team that was still without points in the competition, one should assume, and the Leonas soon confirmed that assumption with an early goal from Carla Rebecchi who made good use of a Marine Russo pass.

The Argentineans never managed to show the fire that had carried them to an impressive win over Germany two days ago however, and remained scoreless while with two minutes to go in the first half, Niniwa Roberts deflected a hit into the circle from Emily Naylor for the equalizer.

Inspired by the sudden realization that the much favored Argentineans in today's shape were within their reach, the Blacksticks came out for the second half looking for more but instead were hit with a double whammy when Soledad Garcia and Marine Russo sunk two goals lass than three minutes apart.

Garcia's gola was a spectacular one too, as she went into the circle on the far left and fired a beautiful reverse stikc shot into the far corner. Russo came into the circle from the far right and hit a high ball from the edge of the circle to take the scoreline to 3:1.

The Kiwis played their hearts out in the remaining 25 minutes and saw a shimmer of hope when Lizzie Igasan converted a penalty corner to get them on the Leonas' heels, but that was all they could do. Argentina protected their lead slowing down the game, and when the final whistle sounde, celebrated their march into the top four elatedly.

For the Blacksticks it was a disappointing fifth consecutive defeat, four of which have been by one goal only, and they really would have deserved a little more, today and overall. They now face South Africa in the match for 11th place on Friday.

Argentina - New Zealand 3:2 (1:1)
ARG Carla REBECCHI (FG) 15min
NZL Niniwa ROBERTS (FG) 33min
ARG Soledad GARCIA (FG) 43min
ARG Marine RUSSO (FG) 46min
NZL Lizzie IGASAN (PC) 61min

China draw Australia 2:2 (1:0)

Host nation China delighted a huge crowd by drawing with Australia, putting them into the Olympic semi-finals alongside Germany, The Netherlands and Argentina.

With The Netherlands already qualified for the medal matches, China versus Australia was a “winner takes all” contest in Pool A, although a draw would be good enough for China due to their superior goal difference. China went 2:0 up thanks to a couple of great strikes from Hong Xia LI, but goals from Casey Eastham and Sarah Young pulled it back to 2:2 with just eight minutes left to play. Australia pressed hard, but China secured the draw they needed to reach the Olympic semi-finals. China will face defending champions Germany in the last four, which is certain to be watched by another massive crowd.

China – Australia 2:2 (1:0)
CHN Hong Xia LI (FG) 30min
CHN Hong Xia LI (FG) 38min
AUS Casey EASTHAM (PC) 51min
AUS Sarah YOUNG (FG) 62min