BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hosts China made the history by defeating Germany 3-2 on Wednesday, and roared into the final of the Olympic women's hockey for the first time, to face world champions the Netherlands.

    The sixth-ranked China, suffering a 4-3 loss to Germany on penalty shootouts in first semi-final play in Athens four years ago, came back from 2-1 down and finally took a sweet revenge.

Chinese hockey players celebrate after making a goal during the women's semifinal match between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic Games hockey event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. China beat Germany 3-2 and advanced to the final. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    China got the goals from veterans Gao Lihua, Ma Yibo and the youngest player Zhao Yudiao.

    Germany's two goals came from Keller Natascha and Janine Beermann.

    China's head coach Kim Chang-back said it's not the right time for them to be happy, because there's still one match and they should calm down.

    "It has been a long time since the defeat to Germany. Though we conceded goals first, I'm confident that we are fully capable of scoring goals," said Kim, adding that they were not prepared for a penalty shootout.

    The fact that they failed to qualify for the finals at Athens Games gave them a good lesson and rich experience, noted Kim. "We have made the history for China now, and since Asian teams have never won the Olympics, we will try to play our best and rewrite the history of the world."

    German coach Michael Behrmann said China played very well and piled lost of pressure on them. "We are happy to score the first and second goal, but the match kept going and China finally win. For China, there is so big a crowd and a big expectation from the whole nation."

Players of the Netherlands celebrate victory during the women's semifinal match between the Netherlands and Argentina of Beijing Olympic Games hockey event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. The Netherlands beat Argentina 5-2 and advanced to the final. (Xinhua/Wang Changshan) Photo Gallery>>>

    In the other semifinal match, the Netherlands upset the second-ranked Argentina 5-2.

    The Dutch, the Athens silver medalists blanked Argentina 3-0 at halftime. Both the first two goals came from Maartje Paumen and the third was from Marilyn Agliotti.

    Maartje Paumen scored her third in the 47th which gave the Netherlands 4-0 lead. Her teammate Ellen Hoog added another in the 68th.

    Argentina, the Athens bronze medalists, got their two goals from Marine Russo and Alejandra Gulla.

    China now face the Netherlands for the gold, and Argentina play Germany for the bronze.

China upset defending champions Germany 3-2 in Olympic women's hockey semifinals 

    BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Hosts China beat defending titlists Germany 3-2 in the semifinals of the Olympic women's hockey here on Wednesday, roaring into the final for the first time.

    Suffering a 4-3 loss to Germany on penalty shootouts in first semifinal play in Athens four years ago, China took a sweet revenge this time. Full story

Netherlands beat Argentina 5-2 in Olympic women's hockey semifinal 

   BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- World champions the Netherlands upset the second-ranked Argentina 5-2 in the Olympic women's hockey semifinals here on Wednesday.

    The Dutch, the Athens silver medalists, underlined their supremacy once again by blanking Argentina 3-0 at halftime. The first two goals came from Maartje Paumen in the 9th and 25th minute and the third was from Marilyn Agliotti in the 31st. Full story