Hosts China beat defending titlists Germany 3-2 in the semifinals of the Olympic women's hockey on Wednesday, roaring into finals for the first time.

Suffering a 4-3 loss to Germany on penalty shootouts in the first semi-final play in Athens four years ago, China took sweet revenge this time.

Germany took a 4th minute lead with a field goal from Keller Natascha. After losing three chances for penalty corners, Gao Lihua found the net with a field goal in the 31st minute, leveling the score 1-1 for China at halftime.

No more than one minute as the second half started, Janine Beermann's field goal gave Germany 2-1 lead but just three minutes later China's captain Ma Yibo scored the equalizer on a penalty corner.

Then the match went on more tight. Though China had more possessions and launched repeated attacks, their attacks either flew over the post or were saved by German goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds.

In the 23rd minute, China's youngest Zhao Yudiao netted the ball after pass from veterans Fu Baorong first and then Gao Lihua.

As Germany failed to capitalize on their last chance for a penalty corner at the final second, China sealed the 3-2 win.

China next will face either Argentina or the Netherlands for the gold medal contention on Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2008)