HOCKEY WOMEN’S FINAL

DUTCH DELIGHT

Shatter Chinese Dream To Win Women’s Hockey Gold

The Netherlands won back the Olympic women’s field hockey gold medal after 24 years with a 2-0 win over hosts China in an absorbing final here on Friday. Naomi van As and Maartje Goderie scored in the space of 13 minutes in the second half to end China’s dream of becoming the first Asian women’s side to win the Olympic title.

The Dutch world number one team, who were forced to settle for silver by Germany in Athens four years ago, won their first gold since the Los Angeles Games in 1984.

They are the most medalled women’s team in Olympic hockey history with two golds, a silver and three bronze medals. China, the reigning Asian Games champions, improved upon their fourth place finish at Athens to win their first Olympic medal and continue a remarkable rise since their international debut in 1990.

Argentina, meanwhile, retained the bronze medal with a 3-1 win over defending champions Germany in the play-off between the losing semi-finalists.

A sell-out crowd of 12,000 at the Olympic Green Hockey stadium that included a fair share of boisterous Dutch supporters, saw the Netherlands take charge in the second half.

Van As deflected in a rebound off a penalty corner in the 50th minute to give the Dutch their 100th Olympic goal since the women’s competition started at Moscow in 1980.

Goderie then assured her team the gold with a stunning reverse hit from the top of the circle in the 63rd minute which crashed into the net.