| Dutch enter final after shootout win over Kiwis |
LONDON Reigning champions the Netherlands squeezed into the women’s Olympic hockey final on Wednesday, beating outsiders New Zealand 3-1 in a shootout with Ellen Hoog scoring the decisive penalty.
New Zealand, who finished last in Beijing without winning a match, came close to a tournament upset by holding the Dutch to a 2-2 draw after extra time, having twice taken the lead.
In the final on Friday the Netherlands will face either hosts Britain or world champions Argentina, who meet in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
“I don’t care who we play. If it’s GB, good for them. I’ll get energy from their cheering home crowd too. I’d love that,” said Netherlands’ Naomi van As, who took the first penalty.
Wednesday’s incident-packed game included a serious-looking injury to Kiwi forward Katie Glynn who was accidentally whacked on the head as Hoog tried to shoot on goal. Glynn fell to the ground and, blood dripping down her face, was led off the field.
She returned to play in the second half, her head heavily bandaged, having received what she described as “a couple of stitches and staples” to a scalp wound.
“We’re so disappointed with how it ended but we’ve got to pull ourselves up now for the bronze game,” said a teary-eyed Glynn. Asked about her injury, she said she was feeling dizzy but “well, that’s all part of the game.”
London’s Olympic Games have been unusually hazardous for hockey players in a sport where most body contact is penalised but the small and fast-travelling ball and stick contact can cause brutal injuries.
Agence France-Presse
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