Pakistan book ticket for Sydney

Spain and South Korea, who had qualified yesterday, ended the league phase of the 12-nation event with emphatic wins.

Spain, silver-medallists at the Atlanta Olympics four years ago, blanked lowly Belarus 5-0 in Group B, while South Korea blitzed New Zealand 5-2 to record their fifth successive win in Group A.

The other three qualifying spots were wide open after Britain recovered from a 2-5 drubbing by Poland yesterday to defeat Belgium 4-3 in their last match today.

Britain finished with seven points in Group A, while both Poland and Japan were locked with six points each and a game in hand. One among the three will finish second in the group, gaining an automatic entry into the Olympics.

The remaining two will play-off for the fifth and sixth positions with Malaysia and, most likely, Switzerland who have an easy outing against Belarus.

Belgium, winless in their three previous matches, fought back from a 0-2 deficit at half-time against Britain to make it 2-3 and then 3-4 with a minute remaining.

Mark Pearn scored Britain’s first two goals, while Ben Sharpe and Danny Hall found the target to keep Britain afloat in the competition.

Pakistan put aside the embarrassment of going through the qualification route for the first time with a leisurely stroll against Malaysia.

Their third win in four games came without any goals from penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas, who compiled hat-tricks in the previous two matches.

Mohammad Nadeem put Pakistan ahead in the 22nd minute, the lone goal in the first-half, and scored one more seven minutes before the final whistle.

In a furious second-half which produced six goals, Kashif Javed, Mohammad Sarwar and Imran Yousuf scored for Pakistan. Mirnanwan Nawawi and Kuhan Shanmuganathan chipped in for Malaysia.

“I am happy and relieved that we have made it to the Olympics,” Pakistani coach Islahuddin Siddiqui said. “We can now start planning for the games. I think this young team is good enough to win the gold.”

Pakistan last won the Olympic gold medal at the Los Angeles Games in 1984, but finished sixth at Atlanta four years ago.

Malaysia, who ended their league games with seven points from five matches, will feature in the play-offs on Saturday.

Formidable Spain won four of their five league games and drew the other against Pakistan.

The six qualifiers here are due to join the six direct entrants — holders Holland, hosts Australia and the continental champions India, Germany, Canada and South Africa — at Sydney.