Dutch win women's hockey gold
BEIJING (Reuters) - Reigning world champions the Netherlands beat China 2-0 to win their second Olympic women's hockey gold medal on Friday.
Sixth-ranked China's silver was their first Olympic hockey medal of any color, while Argentina outclassed Germany to take the bronze for a second consecutive Games.
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.
"Scoring the winning goal is a dream come true," said van As.
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 penalty corners.
China took heart from Zhang's acrobatic saves and worked their way back into the match to keep the score 0-0 at half-time.
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 Netherlands, who previously won gold in Los Angeles in 1984, came into the tournament as one of the favorites and did not drop a single point throughout.
"It's my third Olympics. I won bronze in Sydney, silver in Athens and now gold. It's a perfect way to go," said skipper Minke Booij, 2006 world hockey player of the year.
On the sound of the final hooter, the Dutch -- tearful silver medalists four years ago -- danced on the pitch and threw their sticks in the air.
Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander presented the medals.
The Chinese, who beat 2004 Olympic champions Germany in the semi-finals, appeared content with winning silver in front of their home crowd.
But their coach was less upbeat. "I am crying in my heart," Kim Chang-back told reporters.
(Additional reporting by Peter Rutherford, editing by Ralph Gowling)
