World champions Germany entered the Olympic men’s field hockey semifinals by ending Asia’s challenge with a thrilling 2-2 draw against South Korea here yesterday, as Pakistan and India set up a key clash for the fifth-sixth placings.
With the German and Spain’s victory, Pakistan effectively failed to make the last four grade and were left to rue what might have been following a patchy showing – brilliant on occasion, while pedantic on others -- in the Games.
The Koreans, who needed a win to qualify, led twice in the aggressive Group A decider through penalty corner goals by Lee Jung Seon, before fading away against the determined Germans.
Christopher Zeller drew level the first time just before the interval, before Bjoern Emmerling scored the crucial second equalizer four minutes from the end.
Germany finished joint-leaders in the group with Spain on 11 points, but the Spaniards took the top spot due to a superior goal difference.
In tomorrow’s semifinals, Spain meet Australia while Germany take on defending champions the Netherlands.
The Dutch ensured top place in Group B with a 2-1 victory over Australia, Taeke Taekema scoring twice through penalty corners before Travis Brooks reduced the margin for the Kookaburras.
Pakistan, meanwhile, walloped Britain 8-2 to set up an intriguing clash with arch-rivals India tomorrow in a bid to finish among the top six. Pakistan finished third in Group A, while India came fourth in the other group after a 2-2 draw against Argentina.
The winner will return on Friday to meet the winner of the New Zealand-South Korea game to determine the fifth-sixth placings.
German coach Bernhard Peters, whose team would have exited from the semifinal race had they lost to the Koreans, was delighted. “This was one of the best matches my team has played in a long time,” said Peters.
Spain, meanwhile, encountered unexpected resistance from lowly Egypt before carving out a 3-0 victory to book their semifinal berth. What was expected to be a romp in the sun almost turned into a nightmare as the Spanish struggled to get past the Egyptians, who had conceded 27 goals in four previous defeats. After Eduardo Tubau scored the first goal in the sixth minute, Spain were made to wait till eight minutes before the end for their next success when Pol Amat converted a penalty stroke.
Tubau scored his second goal three minutes later.
Spain’s Dutch coach Maurits Hendriks was not surprised by his team’s struggle against Egypt.
“The boys eased up a bit after their great win over Pakistan on Saturday,” said Hendriks, who coached the Dutch to victory in Sydney four years ago before joining Spain. “They took victory for granted today which is not a good thing. Perhaps there is a lesson in this for all. Never underestimate any team in modern hockey.”
Pakistan, meanwhile, vent their frustration at not making the semifinals by running riot against Britain, six of their eight goals coming in the second-half. Sohail Abbas and Rehan Butt scored two goals each.
Pakistan came back from one goal down to record their third victory in the competition, six of their goals coming in the second session. Winger Rehan Butt scored two goals while skipper Muhammad Nadeem ND, Muhammad Shabbir and Ghazanfar Ali also came good to help Pakistan.
Gagan Ajit Singh netted both goals for India against Argentina, while Matias Vila drew level both times. New Zealand ensured a third-place finish in Group B with a 4-1 demolition of South Africa.
