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Roundup: History-making China to meet Netherlands in Olympic women´s hockey final

Source: Xinhua | 08-20-2008 22:54

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hosts China made the history by defeating Germany 3-2 on Wednesday, and roared into the final of the Olympic women's hockey for the first time, to face world champions the Netherlands.

Chinese hockey players celebrate after making a goal during the women's semifinal match between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic Games hockey event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. China beat Germany 3-2 and advanced to the final. (Xinhua Photo)
Chinese hockey players celebrate after making a goal during the 
women's semifinal match between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic 
Games hockey event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. China beat 
Germany 3-2 and advanced to the final. (Xinhua Photo)

The sixth-ranked China, suffering a 4-3 loss to Germany on penalty shootouts in first semi-final play in Athens four years ago, came back from 2-1 down and finally took a sweet revenge.

China got the goals from veterans Gao Lihua, Ma Yibo and the youngest player Zhao Yudiao.

Germany's two goals came from Keller Natascha and Janine Beermann.

China's head coach Kim Chang-back said it's not the right time for them to be happy, because there's still one match and they should calm down.

"It has been a long time since the defeat to Germany. Though we conceded goals first, I'm confident that we are fully capable of scoring goals," said Kim, adding that they were not prepared for a penalty shootout.

The fact that they failed to qualify for the finals at Athens Games gave them a good lesson and rich experience, noted Kim. "We have made the history for China now, and since Asian teams have never won the Olympics, we will try to play our best and rewrite the history of the world."

Players of the Netherlands celebrate victory during the women's semifinal match between the Netherlands and Argentina of Beijing Olympic Games hockey event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. The Netherlands beat Argentina 5-2 and advanced to the final. (Xinhua/Wang Changshan)
Players of the Netherlands celebrate victory during the 
women's semifinal match between the Netherlands and Argentina 
of Beijing Olympic Games hockey event in Beijing, China, Aug. 
20, 2008. The Netherlands beat Argentina 5-2 and 
advanced to the final. (Xinhua/Wang Changshan)

German coach Michael Behrmann said China played very well and piled lost of pressure on them. "We are happy to score the first and second goal, but the match kept going and China finally win. For China, there is so big a crowd and a big expectation from the whole nation."

In the other semifinal match, the Netherlands upset the second-ranked Argentina 5-2.

The Dutch, the Athens silver medalists blanked Argentina 3-0 at halftime. Both the first two goals came from Maartje Paumen and the third was from Marilyn Agliotti.

Maartje Paumen scored her third in the 47th which gave the Netherlands 4-0 lead. Her teammate Ellen Hoog added another in the 68th.

Argentina, the Athens bronze medalists, got their two goals from Marine Russo and Alejandra Gulla.

China now face the Netherlands for the gold, and Argentina play Germany for the bronze.

 

Editor:Si Qintu