06-Aug-2012
Pakistan kept alive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the men's hockey tournament, but India sank to yet another loss, this time to South Korea.
Pakistan snatched victory with two late goals to beat South Africa 5 - 4 in the highest-scoring match of the tournament to stay in the hunt for a semi-final place.
A topsy-turvy match was only decided in the last six minutes as the Asian side came from 4-3 down with goals from penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas and Waseem Ahmed.
Thornton McDade, Justin Reid-Ross (2) and Wade Paton scored for South Africa, while Abdul Hassem Khan (2), Shafqat Rasool joined Abbas and Ahmed on the scoresheet for Pakistan.
Meanwhile, neighbours India slumped to a fourth successive defeat, a 4-1 reversal at the hands of South Korea South Korea took an early lead when Jang Jong Hyun converted a sixth minute penalty corner by placing a rasping drag-flick just under the crossbar.
India got the equaliser in the 10th minute on a breakaway move in which Gurwinder Singh Chandi deflected in Gurbaz Singh's cross from right into the boards. But captain Lee Seung Il scored in between two expertly taken penalty corners by Nam Hyun Woo to deepen India's misery.
India are the only team among 12 competing in these Olympic Games without a single point from five matches.
The eight-time gold medallists are now heading for their lowest-ever finish in the Olympics as they will finish at the bottom of the group and will have to play for the 11th and 12th positions.
New Zealand's 1 - 1 draw with Belgium was unsatisfactory for both sides as it ended any distant hopes they had of making the semi-finals.
They needed a positive result - and one in the Germany vs Holland match later - to keep open the slenderest avenue to the top four but neither could force a winner.
After a goalless first half Belgium opened the scoring through Tom Boon in the 48th minute.
But that lead lasted just six minutes as Nick Wilson dribbled along the left byline to squeeze a shot under Vincent Vanasch.
New Zealand almost won it in the final minute when Andrew Hayward's penalty corner hit the post but the point means both sides will now contest the minor places.
Veteran Teun de Nooijer marked his 450th appearance with a goal as the Netherlands beatGermany 3 - 1 in Pool B to qualify for the semi-finals .
It leaves defending Olympic champions Germany requiring a point from their final match against New Zealand to join them in the last four.
Germany opened the scoring through Christopher Zeller but the Dutch hit back through Bob de Voogd, Mink van der Weerden and Nooijer.
Great Britain produced a brilliant second-half comeback to stun world number one Australia who appeared to be coasting towards the semi-finals.
The hosts were 3-0 down early in the second half before they made their charge in exhilarating fashion to leave the Kookaburras wondering what had hit them.
Two goals from Matt Ford and another from Mark Knowles had seemingly put Australia in control but Jonty Clarke began the fightback before captain Barry Middleton and James Tindall completed the recovery.
It means both will probably need a draw in their final Pool A matches to make the last four.
In the day's last match, Spain produced an astonishing last six minutes to score three times against Argentina and keep alive their semi-final hopes.
Trailing to Lucas Vila's 55th-minute goal the Europeans were heading out of medal contention in Pool A until a sudden turnaround - on a night of stirring comebacks - thrust them back in.
Just as Great Britain had done in the preceding game, drawing 3-3 with Australia from 3-0 down, Spain scored three goals without reply as Pau Quemeda, Miguel Delas and Eduard Tubau snatched victory. |
