Humidity a concern as Australia start favorites

By Sanjay Rajan

BEIJING (Reuters) - Although very little separates the top teams in terms of quality, there is concern the steamy conditions in the Chinese capital will have a major influence on results when the Olympic hockey tournament begins on Sunday.

Australia's men look confident of defending their crown that will cap a spectacular season in which they won a record-equaling ninth Champions Trophy, but coach Barry Dancer said the humid conditions would test the players' concentration.

"Late in the long periods of the halves, physical fatigue and mental fatigue will play a factor," Dancer told Reuters.

"We are certainly trying to reduce the number of errors particularly late in halves. Errors will be a big factor in deciding games," he said.

Australia, who won their first men's Olympic hockey gold at Athens when forward Jamie Dwyer scored a golden goal in the final, open the defense of their title against Canada on Monday.

The Netherlands and Germany, silver and bronze medalists four years ago, and Spain, led by exciting forward Pol Amat, playing in his family's 20th Olympics, their biggest threats.

Spain, seeking their first men's Olympic gold, were fourth in Athens and finished second to Australia in the Champions Trophy and are known for their fast and flowing style.

"We stayed out of the medals by a fraction at Athens and everything we have done have been to improve our chances in Beijing, to see if we can step up to the podium," Spain's coach Maurits Hendriks told Reuters.

The women's competition begins on Sunday, where the Netherlands, Argentina and Australia are challenging Germany for the title.

Germany will meet Britain and the strong Dutch side take on South Africa among the six women's first round matches.

The 12 competing teams have been divided into two groups with the top two from each then playing for medals.

Men and women play on alternate days.

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)