Osaka (Japan), March 14: Spain and South Korea scored impressive wins to qualify for the Olympic men's field hockey while Malaysia were one win away from making the trip to Sydney in September. Britain, Olympic champions in 1988, however, suffered an embarrassing 5-2 reverse against Poland, for whom Piotr Mikula scored all five goals. The British also had to endure a missed penalty stroke by captain Jon Wyatt and can now only hope of going through the torturous play-off route to keep their Olympic dream alive. ``It hurts, hurts badly,'' Britain's Australian coach Barry Dancer said. ``But we must put aside this defeat because we still have a chance of going to the Olympics.'' Britain must not only defeat Belgium on Wednesday but also hope the other results go in their favour to take part in the play-offs for the fifth and sixth spots. Spain, silver-medallists at the Atlanta Games in 1996, scored five goals in the last 20 minutes to pull off a 6-3 victory over Argentina. South Korea, who finished fifth at Atlanta, brushed aside Japan 5-1 to ensure they too finish among the top four in the 12-nation qualifying tournament here. With three-time champions Pakistan also certain to qualify, Malaysia and Poland nudged ahead in the scramble for the remaining three places. The Malaysians defeated Switzerland 4-2 to move to seven points in Group B and ensure a place in the play-offs. Poland, considered no-hopers at the start of the tournament, zoomed to second place in Group A with six points and a game in hand against New Zealand. The doughty Argentinians appeared to have wrapped up the match against Spain when they led 3-1 midway through the second half - but the pressure got to them in the end. In a brilliant Spanish fightback that left the Argentine defence stunned, Pol Amat and Eduard Tubau scored twice each and Xavier Arnau netted one a few seconds from the end. The Koreans had an easier outing against Japan, recording their fourth successive win to head Group A with 12 points. Japan, coached by former South Korean international Seungjin Yoo, matched their speedier rivals for the first 30 minutes before fading out. Japan, who last played in the Olympics 32 years ago at Mexico, have six points, and even though not certain of a place in the top four, the hosts are well-placed to take part in the play-offs. The Malaysians led 1-0 at half-time against Switzerland through a 20th-minute goal by Keenan Raj. Kuhan Shanmuganathan struck a penalty corner after resumption and skipper Mirnawan Nawawi increased the margin with a solo run down the centre in the 55th minute. Swiss captain Thierry Grandchamp scored two consolation goals for his team as Suhaimi Ibrahim sealed the match in Malaysia's favour with the fourth goal in the 65th minute. Six qualifiers will join six direct entrants - holders Holland, hosts Australia and the continental champions India, Germany, Canada and South Africa - at the Olympics.
