Netherlands wins shootout in women's field hockey semifinals

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Ellen Hoog shook off a miss in the shootout and came back to score the game-winner as the Netherlands defeated Germany on Wednesday in the Olympic women's field hockey semifinals.

''I had a little doubt because I missed the first one, but I trust my shootout and I have a lot of confidence in my shootout,'' Hoog said. ''I was confident that I would take it and I would make it.''

Hoog also scored a shootout winner in the 2012 Olympic semifinals against New Zealand.

Wednesday's match was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, then the Netherlands won the shootout 4-3.

Germany had its chances. The shootout was tied at 2-2, and a goal by Franziska Hauke would have won the match. Netherlands goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek registered the save to keep the Dutch alive.

Sombroek, who was named the International Hockey Federation's top goalie in 2015, had four saves in the shootout.

''Joyce did great,'' Hoog said. ''She kept us in the race. She's exceptional.''

The Netherlands will play New Zealand or Britain in the final on Friday. The Dutch will try to become the first women's team to win three consecutive gold medals.

''We are not really thinking about that,'' said Willemijn Bos, who scored two of the Netherlands' goals in the shootout. ''We just want to win this gold one. That's what we are fighting for.''

Lisa Schutze gave Germany the lead in the first period, but Maartje Paumen converted a penalty corner in the second to tie the score. The match was evenly played the rest of the way.

Germany slowed the Netherlands' high-powered attack, constantly denying the Dutch after they advanced into the circle. But the Germans couldn't muster enough of an offense to avoid the shootout.

''In the end, we don't have to apologize about anything,'' Germany coach Jamilon Mulders said. ''We were proud of our performance. We showed off our hearts on the pitch. That's all we can do.''