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Preview Day 5 – Women – Pool B
USA v Germany
> United States and Germany have met once before at the Olympics. In 1996, hosts USA were held to a 1-1 draw by the Germans. Melanie Cremer put the visitors in front, before Cindy Werley equalised.
> Their last competitive encounter dates back to the 2006 World Cup. USA won 1-0 on the strength of a goal by Tiffany Snow.
> Team USA have drawn their first two matches and have come from behind from 2-0 against Argentina and 1-0 against Japan to do so.
> Germany came from behind to beat New Zealand 2-1 last Tuesday. The Germans won their first match 5-1 against Great Britain.
> Defending champions Germany join Netherlands, China and Australia as the nations that have taken the maximum of six points from their first two matches.
> Germany have compiled a 3-for-9 penalty corner success rate, whereas USA are 1-for-7 in the penalty corner department.
> Reigning Olympic Champions Germany aim to become the second nation after Australia (in 2000) to successfully defend their Olympic title.
Japan v Argentina
> These nations have met once before in the Olympic Games. In 2004 in Athens, Argentina defeated Japan 3-1. Inés Arrondo, Agustina Soledad Garcia and Marina Di Giacomo netted for 'Las Leonas'. Rika Komazawa salvaged a consolation goal for Japan.
> Japan's only competitive victory over Argentina came in their first ever competitive encounter in the 1981 World Cup when Japan emerged victorious 3-2.
> These two nations are still undefeated after two matches played in this tournament.
> Japanese midfielder Mayumi Ono will be celebrating her 24th birthday on the day of the match.
> Argentina have started this tournament with a pair of 2-2 draws, losing a 2-0 lead in each.
> Argentina have converted 3 of 17 penalty corner attempts. Ace marksman Noel Barrionuevo is mired in an 0-for-8 rut so far in Beijing.
> Japan have scored one of seven penalty corners in the first two matches of the competition.
New Zealand v Great Britain
> There has been one previous Olympic match featuring these two teams. In 1992 in Barcelona, Great Britain triumphed 3-2. Kathryn Johnson (2) and Alison Ramsay netted for Great Britain, whilst Tina Bell-Kake and Mary Clinton were on target for the Black Sticks.
> Since then, the two have been involved in three matches in Olympic qualifying, yielding two wins for New Zealand and a draw.
> New Zealand have lost each of their first two matches in Beijing by a 2-1 scoreline.
> Great Britain have scored all of their three goals from penalty corners, needing 14 attempts in the process.
> New Zealand have been successful on one of five penalty corner attempts so far.
> The Great Britain squad consists of 15 English players and one from Wales.
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