PARIS: Germany's men's and women's hockey teams both won on Friday, with the women punching their playoff ticket by beating China 4-2 and the men beating Britain 2-1 for top seed in Pool A heading into the quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics.
Germany secured their quarter-final berth with a ringer in the 12th minute from midfielder Nike Lorenz followed quickly by two back-to-back goals by forward Charlotte Stapenhorst. Lorenz also scored a second goal in the fourth quarter.
Germany play Belgium today to determine the final positions in Pool A.
The reigning champion Dutch women's team have nearly secured top spot after a 3-1 win over Belgium. They would have to suffer a heavy loss to fifth-placed Japan today to slip down.
The last quarter-finalist in women's Pool A will also be determined today when China play hosts France. If the Chinese win they will lock up the last spot, while the hosts need to run up a big score to advance.
Japan, who have netted only once, could still make it out of the group stage with a victory against the Netherlands, while a draw would leave them relying on France to beat China.
In the men's games, Germany's victory over Britain marked the last of the pool stage, with quarter-final berths determined by rank.
Forward Christopher Ruehr scored in the 19th minute with a spinning strike under the lights, launching the ball from top of the circle to top of the net.
"What's the most important is to now recover and then be on top of our game again because the tournament's just halfway through, so now it counts and we're ready for it," Ruehr said.
Ruehr also netted a second goal for his squad on a penalty stroke.
The Netherlands came back from a two-goal deficit to beat Spain 5-3 in Pool A, with two players each scoring twice in the second half after the Dutch found their fighting spirit at halftime when they trailed 2-1.
India leapfrogged Australia to second in Pool B with a 3-2 win, their first against the Kookaburras in the Olympics since 1972, as first-quarter goals by forward Abhishek Abhishek and skipper Harmanpreet Singh put them on top.
Argentina drew 3-3 with the top-seeded Belgium side after Belgian forward Thibeau Stockbroekx drilled in the equaliser during a scrum in front of the net in the waning minutes to the roar of the crowd.
Ireland beat New Zealand 2-1 and South Africa beat hosts France 5-2 to secure their first wins of the tournament. All four teams had already been eliminated from the knockout stage.
In the quarter-finals, top seeds Germany will play Argentina, while the other top seeds Belgium play Spain. The Netherlands will face off against Australia and India will take on Britain. - REUTERS