Olympic::Men's Hockey Day 4 Preview

Germany battle to stay in medal hunt

World champions Germany will be desperate for points when they meet Spain in their Pool A Men's Hockey match at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium on Sunday. The world champions need to win their two remaining pool matches to advance to the semifinals. The world's two top ranked teams, Australia and the Netherlands, will attempt to keep their unbeaten record intact when they clash in Pool B.

The first match of pool A will kick off between Republic of Korea and Belgium. The Republic of Korea still fancy their semifinal chances but their loss to New Zealand could yet hurt them.

The famed Korean discipline that helped them to a Silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Games has not been evident thus far, but they cannot be written off.

Belgium, despite drawing with world champions Germany, have had a disappointing tournament but always pose a threat.

New Zealand will compete with China in pool A. Victory against China would give New Zealand a chance of claiming a semifinal spot.

The only time the Kiwis reached the medal rounds was at the 1976 Montreal Games where they won the Gold medal.

China have enjoyed impressive starts in each of their three matches. If they can sustain the early momentum, New Zealand's task will be difficult.

The last match of the day will be between Germany and Spain. The world champions Germany face a Herculean task to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

With just four points from three matches Germany have no option but to win both their remaining pool games - against Spain and New Zealand - to make it to the medal rounds.

Unbeaten Spain have the ammunition to overpower Germany like they did at the 2008 Champions Trophy when they won 3-0. A draw will be enough for Spain to qualify for the semifinals.

In pool B, the Great Britain will play Canada as the first match of the day. Great Britain will continue their push for a semifinal berth but they need to win both remaining matches to qualify for the medal rounds.

Canada are still looking for their first points at these Games having lost all three matches they have played.

Pakistan will face off against South Africa. Pakistan's up-and-down performance in the Beijing Games has been true to the form book. Even with a strong finish to the tournament the three-time Olympic Gold medalist are unlikely to be in medal contention.

South Africa can fancy their chances against a thin Pakistan defence provided the forwards are on target.

Australia will meet Netherlands. The game of the day between the two best teams in the competition will decide the winners qualifying for the semifinals. At the 2004 Athens Games, the Netherlands won their pool match 2-1 but lost the final in extra-time by the same scoreline.

Some of the individual battles to watch will be Dutch penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema from Netherlands versus Aussie goalkeeper Stephen Lambert and Australian striker Jamie Dwyer versus world's top goalkeeper Guus Vogels from Netherlands.

Australia's enviable set of forwards look sharper and could make the difference.