Dutch close in on hockey 'three-peat' after Rio shoot-out win

Dutch close in on hockey 'three-peat' after Rio shoot-out win

RIO DE JANEIRO - The Netherlands stayed on course for a third successive Olympics women's hockey gold medal by downing Germany in a dramatic shoot-out Wednesday.

Netherlands' Ellen Hoog celebrates her goal during the penalty shoot-out in Rio de Janeiro on August 17, 2016

After the scores were level at 1-1 at the end of normal time, the Dutch edged the shoot-out 4-3 and will face either New Zealand or Great Britain for the gold medal.

Germany were the last team to defeat the Netherlands at the Olympics on their way to the 2004 title.

They looked on the cards to repeat that when Lisa Schutze gave them an 11th-minute lead with a penalty corner.

But Dutch skipper Maartje Pauman levelled also from the set piece five minutes later.

The victory gives Alyson Annan, the Australian coach of the Dutch team, the chance to become only the second woman coach to win an Olympic title.

The only woman to achieve that distinction was Anthea Stewart who led Zimbabwe to gold at the boycotted 1980 Games in Moscow.

Annan won two golds as a player with Australia in 1996 and 2000.

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