Japan

LONDON, August 6 - The semi-final and ranking match lineup for the women's hockey competition at the 2012 Olympic Games is now known: 

Wednesday August 8

08:30 Women's 9-10 Japan vs South Africa
11:30 Women's  7-8 Korea vs Germany
15:30 Women's Semifinal Netherlands vs New Zealand
20:00 Women's Semifinal Argentina vs Great Britain

Friday August 10

08:30 Women's 11-12 Belgium vs United StatesS
11:30 Women's 5-6 China vs Australia
15:30 Women's Bronze Medal 
20:00 Women's Gold Medal Match

Goal: Japan celebrate their winning strike vs China - hockeyimages.co.ukLONDON, August 6 - Japan have defeated Beijing Olympic silver medallists China 1-0, a result which ensures Great Britain a women's hockey Olympic Games semi-final place ahead of their clash with the Netherlands at 7pm tonight.

Rika Komazawa scrambled in the second half goal and the Riverbank Arena cheered almost as loudly as when GB men drew level with Australia the previous evening.

Sakiyo Asano also made a string of fine saves in the Japanese goal against a largely unadventurous China attack.

Opposite fortunes: Germany's 2-0 win over South Africa keeps them in medal contention. South Africa will be playing for the minor placings. South Africa's Marsha Marescia is chased by Germany's Jennifer Plass - hockeyimages.co.ukLONDON, August 2 - Pool B is shaping up as the closest in the London 2012 Olympic Games hockey tournament with four sides on six points after the conclusion of the third round of pool games.

Argentina's 2-1 win over New Zealand puts them in top place on goal difference ahead of New Zealand, Australia and Germany. The USA, on three points can still make the semi-finals. But South Africa, without a point, will be playing for the minor rankings.

Captain for the day: Helen Richardson - pic Andy SmithThe Great Britain hockey team will be without captain Kate Walsh for their second pool match against Korea, taking place at the Riverbank Arena at 4pm today. 

Walsh spent a second night in hospital following surgery to have a plate inserted into a fractured jaw. The defender was injured in the second half of the opening match against Japan on Sunday, a match GB won 4-1.

Helen Richardson takes over as captain in Walsh's absence, a role she also filled in the Investec London Cup in June.

Walsh and fellow defender Crista Cullen were out of that tournament with injuries which gave coach Danny Kerry opportunity to experiment with alternative defensive pairings. 

LONDON, July 31- Two goals from Kim Lammers helped Netherlands beat Japan 3-2 in a women's Pool A match at the Riverbank Arena on Tuesday.

Netherlands started strongly and Lammers had two early chances to put them ahead before converting her third attempt in the fourth minute. Good work on the righthand sideline by Kitty van Male saw her get to the backline and pull the ball back for Lammers, who made no mistake from close range.

Broken jaw: GB skipper Kate Walsh (left) has had surgery but may continue at the London 2012 Olympic Games - pic Andy SmithGreat Britain women’s hockey captain Kate Walsh has had surgery on a fractured jaw received in the closing minutes of GB's 4-0 win over Japan on Sunday night.

The 32-year-old has had a plate inserted into her jaw to stabilise the fracture.

A statement from Team GB reads: "Her recovery from the operation will be monitored and her ongoing participation in the Olympic Games will be reviewed following her return to the athletes’ village. 

Great to have you back: Alex Danson celebrates a goal against Japan. She was injured in the London Prepares test event at Riverbank Arena in May, but is fully recovered - hockeyimages.co.ukLate injuries to Kate Walsh and Helen Richardson were the only dark clouds for Great Britain who comprehensively outplayed Japan 4-0 in their Olympic Games hockey tournament opener on Sunday.

Walsh received an accidental stick to the jaw and was bleeding as she walked off the Riverside Arena. The GB skipper was taken to hospital for assessment, but no further information is yet available. Richardson was hit hard by a ball on the knee and was helped off, but she is expected to be fine.

Before those two blows quietened the crowd they had revelled in a decent game of hockey with all the goals coming in the first half. After taking a few minutes to settle down, GB took control with Alex Danson latching onto a bobble off a defender to finish neatly on the reverse in the seventh minute. 

Record beckons: Dutch corner ace Maartje Paumen (left)) is just two goals behind Alyson Annan's all-time Olympic goal-scoring record. Netherlands play Belgium at 10.45 Sunday July 29 - pic by Andy SmithRecords under threat on the opening day of the women's hockey tournament of the Olympic Games of the XXXth Olympiad include Alyson Annan's all-time Olympic scoring record of 13 goals. 

The tournament starts on Sunday at 8.30am with a trans-Tasman clash between Australia and New Zealand.

The Netherlands, with Maartje Paumen only two goals behind Annan's record, play Belgium at 10.45am. Hosts Great Britain start their campaign with a match against Japan at 7pm.

Natascha Keller should become the first woman to play hockey in five Olympic Games when she takes the field for Germany against the USA at 9.10pm.

Here is the full schedule and some quick facts on each of Sunday's matches: