Defending champions Great Britain, who scored a 2-0shoot-out victory against Spain in the quarterfinals on Monday, has set up asemifinal clash against the Netherlands. It would be a repeat of 2016Olympics final in which the British emerged winners to bag their first gold inwomen's hockey at the Olympics.
World, European, and Pro League champions the Netherlandsoutplayed New Zealand 3-0 in the quarterfinals on Monday, thus getting a chanceto avenge their 3-0 shootout defeat to Great Britain in 2016 final.
In the other semifinal on Wednesday, India will meettwo-time silver-medallist Argentina, who defeated Germany 3-0 in the firstmatch on Monday.
With the women's semifinalists decided on Monday, Indiahave emerged as the only country to make it to the last four stage in bothmen's and women's sections.
Besides India, Australia, Belgium, and Germany havereached the semis in the men's section. Great Britain, Netherlands andArgentina alongside India makes the semis lineup in the women's section.
The Indian women defeated Australia 1-0 on Monday whilethe men overcame Great Britain 3-1 on Sunday. Thus both have a chance ofwinning their respective matches and making it to the final.
Incidentally, no country has won the men's and women'stitles in the same Olympic Games.
Since women's hockey made its debut in the 1980 Games inMoscow, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, and Great Britain have won both themen's and women's titles but not in the same edition of the Games.
Belgium, the reigning world champions will be looking towin their maiden Olympic gold after finishing with silver in the 2016 editionafter losing to Argentina in the final.