Beijing, Aug. 15: Australia, Spain and the Netherlands broke away from the pack with their third wins to step closer to the semifinals of the Olympic men’s field hockey on Friday.
Reigning champions Australia almost certainly ended Pakistan’s hopes with a 3-1 win in pool B despite Shakeel Abbasi’s stunning reverse hit opening goal in the 16th minute.
Grant Schubert drew level four minutes later and Jamie Dwyer gave the Hockeyroos the lead six minutes into the second session before Travis Brooks increased the margin in the 59th minute.
Pakistan captain Zeeshan Ashraf rued the missed chances, but said the temporary suspension of Muhammad Waqas in the first half cost the team dearly. “Losing a player at crucial stage of the match did not help us,” said Zeeshan. “We played well and should have scored more goals but wasted many chances.”
The Netherlands, losing finalists at Athens, joined Australia at the top of the pool with a 4-2 win over Canada mastermined by a hat-trick from penalty corner ace Taeke Taekema.
In pool A, a sleepy Spain proved good enough to beat hosts China 2-1, while New Zealand kept their hopes alive by ousting Belgium 4-2 for their second win in three matches.
Spanish coach Maurits Hendricks lashed out at the early morning starts at the “ghastly hour” of 8.30 am, saying the scheduling of matches was a disrespect to the top teams.
“I would like to apologise to the Chinese public and spectators who had to come out at this terrible hour,” the Spanish coach said. — AFP