LONDON – Australia took less than six minutes to confirm a spot in the Olympic field hockey semifinals and rub out Pakistan's chances in Riverbank Arena Tuesday. The Australians scored twice in that time en route to a 7-0 drubbing. Their third win by five or more secured top spot in Pool A and a semifinal against Pool B runner-up Germany, the defending champion. Germany advanced before its late match against New Zealand thanks to Netherlands beating South Korea 4-2 in the day's opening match. The Koreans had to win to put pressure on the Germans, but soon found themselves down 2-0, too. The Dutch men emulated their women in winning all five outings to head Pool B, and will meet Britain which drew 1-1 with Spain. Also, Belgium beat India 3-0 for the first time in games history, securing a playoff for 5th-6th and their highest placing in the Olympics since the 1928 Amsterdam Games, where they were fourth. Faded eight-time champion India was already headed for the wooden spoon playoff, assured of its worst Olympic finish. South Africa will meet India after losing to Argentina 6-3. Australia coach Ric Charlesworth said he would have been happy with a third straight draw, which also would have qualified the Kookaburras for the semis. Instead, his side took out their frustrations on Pakistan for blowing a 3-0 lead and drawing with Britain Sunday. Liam de Young knocked in a rebound off a fifth-minute penalty corner, and moments later Matt Butturini, on his 25th birthday, was fouled and Mark Knowles nailed a penalty stroke. Christopher Ciriello scored twice to make it 4-0 at halftime. Russell Ford, Jamie Dwyer, and Glenn Turner completed the rout. — AP
