Olympics hockey: GB women into semis despite Dutch defeat

Great Britain's women will face Argentina in the Olympic hockey semi-finals after a 2-1 group stage loss to the Netherlands at the Riverbank Arena.

GB and the Dutch knew they had secured the two Group A qualifying spots after China's 1-0 defeat by Japan earlier.

Argentina got the point they required to top Group B with a tense 0-0 draw against Australia.

The Netherlands, reigning Olympic champions, will face New Zealand in the last four on Wednesday.

New Zealand eliminated Germany with a 0-0 draw to reach the Olympic semi-finals for the first time ever.

Britain were on the back foot in the early stages against a strong Dutch side and it was very much against the run of play when Crista Cullen converted a penalty corner to put the home side ahead.

The Netherlands retained the initiative as the second half got under way and the equaliser came through a penalty corner which was worked out to the left-hand side for Naomi van As to steer it home.

A draw would have been enough for the Dutch to top the group but they grabbed a deserved winner when Kitty van Male swept in a loose ball as the British defence buckled.

"I'm pretty disappointed," said GB coach Danny Kerry. "I've spoken to the girls and been very straight with them and told them I expect much better than that, because I know we are capable of much, much better than that.

"We were too passive in the second half and the equalising goal came because we weren't thinking clearly.

"Being too passive was unacceptable and if we're going to do well in the semi-final then people need to hear it straight."