Korea 3 South Africa 0
Korea kept alive their hopes of reaching the last four with a comfortable victory over a lacklustre South Africa. It was another disappointing display up front by the Proteas who created numerous chances in the first twenty minutes but after failing to press home their advantage, Korea regained the initiative and put away their opportunities.
Kim Sang Ryul (Korea coach):'I'm not happy with the way we played - we just couldn't score, especially at penalty corners.
On injured captain and midfielder Lee Mi Seong: 'She still has a problem with her hearing and has headaches and a slight swelling. But she wants to play and I'm hoping she might to be fit for the next game against Australia.'
Ros Howell (South Africa coach):'We're not converting our chances. Once we went behind we panicked. I think the first game when we lost heavily to Holland made it really hard for us to come back.'
JAPAN 2 NEW ZEALAND 0
A brace by Tomomi Komori paved the way for a lively Japan side to record their first win in the Olympic Games when they defeated an uninspired Black Sticks side. The Asian team demonstrated the form which saw them triumph in the qualifying tournament but New Zealand also squandered the chance to pull a goal back when they missed a late penalty stroke. The result also secured China's berth in the semi finals.
Ian Rutledge (New Zealand coach): 'I can't believe we lost the game after dominating so much of it. It's hugely disappointing and the players are absoulutely distraught.'
Zenjiro Yasuda (Japan manager):'We have dedicated this win to one of our great supporters who sadly died last year. We bring his picture to every game. It was our aim to win a match in Athens and we are delighted to have done that. It is fantastic for our players and for all the people who have come to support us and it also means a lot to everyone back home. I hope this will be the beginning of a new era in Japan'
