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Preview Day 3 – Women – Pool B
Argentina v Great Britain
> Pan American Games champions Argentina have played Great Britain three times before at the Olympics, winning once and losing twice.
> Las Leonas' sole win over GB came at Sydney 2000 (1-0) through a Karina Masotta goal.
> In 1988 and 1996 Great Britain beat Argentina 1-0 and 5-0 respectively.
> This 5-0 victory over Argentina marks the biggest win for the GB hockey team at the Olympics.
> Argentina are two goals short from scoring 50 in Olympic competition.
> They are also two goals shy from conceding 50 goals in Olympic competition.
> Argentina have won a medal in each of the last two Olympics: silver in 2000 and bronze in 2004.
> 17-year-old Charlotte Craddock (GBR) is the youngest female hockey player at Beijing 2008.
USA v Japan
> This is the first Olympic meeting between the United States and Japan.
> The USA and Japan last played each other at the 2006 World Cup: Japan won the Final 5-6 (1-0) after a goalless draw in the group stage.
> The United States came to Beijing 2008 by winning the Qualification tournament in Kazan, Russia.
> For the US women's team this is the first Olympic Games participation since Atlanta 1996, when they finished fifth. Their best result came in 1984 when they won the bronze medal.
> USA have never won an Olympic match by more than two goals.
> Tomomi Komori is top goal scorer for Japan in Olympic history, having netted three times at Athens 2004.
Germany v New Zealand
> The only previous Olympic encounter between Germany and New Zealand came at Sydney 2000 (0-0).
> In 1984 West-Germany beat New Zealand 1-0 in Los Angeles.
> The last time Germany took on New Zealand was at the 2006 Champions Trophy, with the German team winning (3-0).
> EuroHockey Nations Champions Germany have been present at every Olympic tournament since they made their debut in 1992.
> Reigning Olympic Champions Germany aim to become the second nation after Australia (in 2000) to successfully defend their Olympic title.
> Six players return from the golden Athens squad: Anke Kühn, Fanny Rinne, Mandy Haase, Marion Rodewald, Natascha Keller and Tina Bachmann.
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