Li Shuang (2nd L) of China passes the ball during women's hockey Preliminary Pool A match China vs Australia of Beijing Olympic Games at Olympic Green Hockey Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. The match ended with a 2-2 draw. (Xinhua/Li Yong) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Hosts China took a 2-2 draw with Australia to get the last semifinal spot in the Olympic women's hockey here on Monday.

    Both with ten points in Pool A, China qualified for the semifinals with superior goal differences.

    This is the second semifinals for China that finished fourth at 2004 Athens Olympics.

    Fourth-ranked Australia were shut out of the medal contentions and head to play for fifth and sixth place.

    As the match was so crucial to determine the semifinal spot that both sides fought their hardest game ever.

    Not until the 30th minute that Li Hongxia opened the scoring on a field goal under the cooperation with her teammates, which gave China a 1-0 lead.

    Just three minutes after the second half started, Li added her second goal which aroused the loudest cheers of the crowd.

    Australia, three Olympic gold medalists, battled hard to penetrate the tight Chinese defence and finally Casey Eastham found the net with a with a shot in the 51th minute. Sarah Young scored the equaliser in the 62th minute.

    China will play Pool B No. 1 Germany and Pool A leaders the Netherlands take on Argentina on Wednesday.