Beijing, August 19
World Cup champions Germany and strong contenders the Netherlands cruised into the Olympic men’s field hockey semi-finals with convincing wins today.

The Germans fought off New Zealand 3-1 to end the preliminary league with three wins and two draws in pool A.

The Dutch, who were gold medalists in Atlanta and Sydney, overcame a sluggish start to beat rejuvenated Pakistan 4-2 in pool B to finish with four wins and a draw.

The remaining two semi-final spots will be decided when the last round of matches are played later today with four teams still in contention.

Spain and South Korea square off in pool A with the Spanish men needing a draw to advance while the Asian Games champions, who are two points behind, must win.

In pool B, defending champions Australia need a draw against Britain, who face the uphill task of securing a massive win to go through.

Three-time champions Pakistan played their best hockey of the competition in the first half which ended with a 1-0 lead over the Dutch through a penalty corner goal by Muhammad Imran.

The Dutch surged ahead in the second session with three goals in 17 minutes, two of them through their penalty corner ace Taeke Taekema.

Jeroen Hertzberger increased the tally one minute before the final whistle to hand Pakistan their third defeat in five matches.

Pakistan, who last won an Olympic gold at Los Angeles in 1984, failed to make the semi-finals for the second successive Games.

Their fourth place finish in the pool meant Pakistan will miss next year’s elite Champions Trophy reserved for the top six teams in the competition.

Taekema blamed the first half blues on the early 8.30 am start, a complaint also made by Spanish coach Maurits Hendriks last week.

“I have been up since five in the morning and found it tough to take the field so early in the day,” said Taekema.

“I think we improved as the game went on because we were a little more awake.” Taekema said he had no preference on which side the Dutch met in the semi-final.

Pakistan coach Naveed Alam said his team should have finished higher in the competition, but for several missed chances.

” Germany, meanwhile, took a 2-0 lead by the ninth minute against New Zealand through goals by Timo Wess and Matthias Witthaus.

Penalty corner specialist Hayden Shaw pulled one back for the Kiwis in the 46th before Florian Keller sealed Germany’s domination with his team’s third goal in the 55th.

New Zealand ended the competition with two wins, two losses and a draw. — AFP