German, Dutch men through to hockey semi-finals

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BEIJING, Aug 19 (AFP): 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 medallists in Atlanta and Sydney, overcame a sluggish start to beat rejuvinated 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 Tuesday 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.