Olympics "hockey semis"

Defending Olympic champions Australia suffered a major blow ahead of Thursday's men's hockey semi-finals when seasoned striker Grant Schubert was ruled out with a knee injury. Holders Australia led field hockey's top four nations into the Olympic men's semi-finals for the second time in a row after playing a 3-3 draw against Britain on Tuesday. In Thursday's semi-finals, world number one Australia clash with fourth-ranked Spain, while third-placed Netherlands take on number two Germany.

China will take on champions Germany and Argentina will play the top-ranked Dutch in the Olympic women’s hockey semi-finals on Wednesday.

Pool A leaders the Netherlands beat Spain 2-0 and qualify the semifinals with a full 15 points. Athens bronze medalists Argentina edged New Zealand 3-2, ranked following the defending champions Germany who downed Japan 1-0 to top Pool B.

China next play Germany and the Netherlands take on Argentina in semifinals on Wednesday.