Germany in semifinals

Unstoppable: Naomi van As (centre) kick-started the Netherlands’ big scoreing act In the second minute as she weaved past four defenders to score.

The Netherlands defeats Japan

Germany beat Australia 1-0 in the last Pool A match to enter the semifinals of the women’s hockey World Cup here on Tuesday.

Germany meets Argentina and the Netherlands plays England in Thursday’s semifinals. Australia will play South Korea in the 5-6 classification match on Friday.

After a scoreless first half, Germany’s pressure on Australia’s defence in the second half yielded four penalty corners. Tina Bachmann converted Germany’s third corner chance low inside the left post for the only goal of the match.

Top-ranked Netherlands scored five goals then lost concentration in the last five minutes to allow Japan two late goals.

In the second minute Naomi van As beat four defenders in a long weaving run through the right to score the Netherlands’ first goal.

Maartje Paumen added two penalty corner conversions to take her tally to nine corner goals from the pool matches. Lidewj Welten and then Kim Lammers added second-half goals for the Netherlands.

Kaori Chiba punished the Netherlands’ lapse of concentration to drive in from the edge of the circle and win the scrimmage for possession in front of the goal for Japan’s two late goals.

First win for Kiwis

New Zealand won its first tournament match, defeating India 3-0 to take fourth place in Pool A.

New Zealand took the first-half honours with four shots on goal and two penalty corners but could not find the net.

In the second half, India’s Subhadra Pradhan and Chanchan Thokchom were sent off. New Zealand took advantage of India’s misfortune and scored through Kayla Sharland and Katie Glynn, then Sharland fired in New Zealand’s first penalty corner conversion of the tournament.

The results: Pool A: New Zealand 3 (Kayla Sharland 44, 54, Katie Glynn 51) bt India 0.

Netherlands 5 (Naomi van As 2, Maartje Paumen 10, 54, Lidewj Welten 38, Kim Lammers 49) bt Japan 2 (Kaori Chiba 67, 69).

Germany 1 (Tina Bachmann 43) bt Australia 0.