Pakistan down Dutch 2-0; enter semis

Pakistan are through to the semi-finals of the men's Olympic hockey competition.

The former Olympic champions scored once in each half to down Atlanta Games gold medallists and world champions The Netherlands 2-0 in their concluding Group A match on Tuesday to advance.

Penalty-corner specialist Sohail Abbas put the three-time Olympic gold medallists ahead in the 20th minute of the first-half before Kashif Javed could put the issue beyond doubt late in the match, tapping home a rebound off goalkeeper Ronald Jansen's pads from their fourth and final penalty-corner.

Despite dominating right through, during which they had 14 shots at goal and nine penalty-corners, the Dutchmen were unable to beat Pakistan goalkeeper Ahmad Alam, who had a fine match.

Pakistan were able to force just four penalty-corners but used the ploy of breaking down the flanks to trouble the Dutch defence.

Pakistan had not beaten by The Netherlands in their last seven meetings.

The victory saw Pakistan, who last won the gold medal at the Los Angeles Games in 1984, complete their Group A preliminary league engagements with 9 points, one more than the Dutch.

The Netherlands's hopes of defending their title now hinges on the match between Germany and Great Britain. Germany, with eight points, need just a draw to go through.

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