Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 1 Preview

Great Britain finally bests Pakistan after 56 years

Great Britain's first win against Pakistan in the Olympic Men's Hockey competition since the 1952 Games highlighted the opening day of the Men's Hockey preliminary matches at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Monday, August 11. Britain defeated Pakistan 4-2 on a day that saw top medal contenders Australia, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain posting clear-cut victories, while New Zealand upset Korea.

Germany defeated China 4-1. Making their Olympic debut in Men's Hockey, China showed promise early on with a second-minute goal by Na Yubo. A rattled Germany stayed afloat on a 21st minute equalizer from Christopher Zeller and then took control of the match. In the second half world champions Germany got into stride with goals by Florian Keller and Carlos Nevado for a comfortable win.

Great Britain, the 1988 Olympic Gold medalists, beat Pakistan 4-2. The British team got off to a great start to lead 3-0 on goals by James Tindall, Rob Moore and Ashley Jackson.

Three times gold medalists Pakistan, outplayed in the first half, began their fightback after change of ends. Shakeel Abbasi and Muhammad Waqas scored opportunistic goals to put Pakistan back in the hunt. Britain, however, closed the game with a 62nd-minute strike by Matt Daly after quality saves from goalkeeper Alistair McGregor.

It was Britain's first win against Pakistan in the Olympics since the 1952 Games.

The Republic of Korea lost their game against New Zealand 1-3. New Zealand's penalty corner specialist, Shaw Hayden, struck a purple patch with three conversions in the second half to lead his side to victory. The Republic of Korea, the Asian Games champions and semifinalists at the 2006 World Cup, flattered to deceive after taking the lead in the 12th minute through Lee Nam-yong. Goalkeeper Paul Woolford was the other Kiwi hero with some fine saves.

Australia won their match against Canada 6-1. Australia did as they pleased with their substitutes having a major say in the runaway victory.

Coming off the bench, Des Abbot from Australia scored thrice, while another substitute, Fergus Kavanagh, knocked in one, as did the experienced Grant Schubert and Eddie Ockenden, who notched his maiden Olympic goal.

The Aussies dictated pace and exchanges, but Canada drew some consolation through a Peter Short goal in the 38th minute.

Belgium lost the game against Spain 2-4. It was a typical all-European clash, with Spain posting a convincing if not commanding victory.

Goals by Pol Amat, Santiago Freixa, Xavier Ribas and Victor Sojo set up a Spanish victory that did not come with the ease the scoreline might indicate.

Belgium, bronze medalists at 2007 European Championship, slipped in two goals through Jeorome Truyens and Jerome Dekeyserto to mark their presence.

The Netherlands won a straight-sets match 5-0 over South Africa. It took the Netherlands a while to figure out the South Africans, but once they got going, they were unstoppable.

Taeke Taekema, the penalty-corner specialist, was twice on target in the first half, during which the Dutch struggled to contain the South Africans. The Dutch were a transformed side in the second half. Veteran Teun de Nooijer, playing in his fourth Olympics, created three moves that resulted in goals by Laurence Docherty, Jeroen Hertzberger and Matthijs Brouwer in the 44th, 47th and 66th minutes.