World champions the Netherlands snatched the Olympic women's hockey gold with a 2-0 win over China on Friday.

It is their first Olympic hockey title since the Los Angeles Games 24 years ago.

Hosts China also picked up their first ever medal at the Olympic Games.

The first half saw a 0-0 tie, in which the Dutch's four penalty corners were all saved by Chinese goalie Zhang Yimeng.

A penalty corner converted by Van As Naomj in the 51st minute broke the tie and gave the Netherlands 1-0 lead. Maartje Goderie added another in the 62nd and sealed their 2-0 win.

World No. 2 Argentina took the bronze with a 3-1 win over defending champions Germany.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2008)