Hostesses lose out as Dutch ladies win Games hockey gold

Beijing: Reigning world champions the Netherlands toppled upstarts China 2-0 to win their second Olympic women's hockey gold medal on Friday.

Sixth-ranked China settled for silver, their first hockey medal of any colour, while Argentina outclassed Germany to take the bronze for a second consecutive Olympics.

The Dutch took the lead from a botched penalty corner in the 51st minute when forward Naomi van As knocked in a rebound to score her first goal of the tournament.

Despite dominating the first 15 minutes the Dutch could not find a way past Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Yimeng, who successfully defended four scoring opportunities from awarded penalty corners.

China took heart from Zhang's acrobatic saves and gradually worked their way back into the match to keep the score 0-0 at halftime.

Taking control

The Dutch took control as the second half wore on and Maartje Goderie sealed the affair in the 62nd minute with a stunning reverse stick slam from the top of the circle.

The Dutch, who previously won gold in Los Angeles in 1984, came into the tournament as one of the favourites and did not drop a single point throughout.