Beijing, Aug. 19: Defending champions Australia ensured field hockey’s big four contested the Olympic men’s semifinals for the second time in a row after playing a 3-3 draw against Britain on Tuesday. Eddie Ockenden scored the equaliser for the Kookaburras two minutes before the final whistle of a dramatic game in which the spirited British team kept the favourites on their toes.
Bevan George and Jamie Dwyer were the other scorers for Australia, who needed a draw to qualify. Barry Middleton, Richard Mantell and Rob Moore got the goals for Britain. In Thursday’s semifinals, world number one Australia clash with fourth-ranked Spain, while third-placed the Netherlands take on number two Germany.
The semifinal line-up is identical to the one at Athens four years ago where Australia won their maiden title by beating the Dutch in the final. Spain topped pool A with 12 points, one ahead of Germany. The Netherlands finished first in pool B with 13 points, two more than Australia.
Versatile striker Santiago Freixa slammed two goals as Spain, often regarded as the best team never to have won the Olympic gold, outplayed South Korea 2-1 in a match they only had to draw to qualify.
“We are getting there, but we will take it one match at a time,” said Spanish coach Maurits Hendriks. “There is a lot of good hockey still to be played in this tournament.” Earlier, the Germans fought off New Zealand 3-1 to end the preliminary league with three wins and two draws. The Dutch, gold medallists in Atlanta and Sydney before taking silver in Athens, overcame a sluggish start to beat rejuvinated Pakistan 4-2 in their last match. Three-time champions Pakistan played their best hockey of the competition in the first half, but could not hold on to a 1-0 lead through Muhammad Imran’s penalty corner.