ATHENS (Kyodo) Japan's hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the women's field hockey competition at the Athens Games ended Friday after world No.1 Argentina brushed aside New Zealand 3-0 to claim its third win of the tournament.

The result dashed Japan's bid for a medal on its Olympic debut as Argentina ensured itself a place in the last four, with China taking the other semifinal berth from the five-team pool, having also posted three wins.

Japan, which has a 1-2 record after following up defeats to China and Argentina with a 2-0 win over New Zealand on Wednesday, plays Spain in its final group match later Friday.