Britain shock Germany

Cellar team Great Britain brought defending champions The Netherlands back from the dead in the men's hockey tournament when they surprised Germany 2-1 in their concluding league match in Group A on Tuesday.

The shock result meant that Germany, who only needed a draw to advance into the last four along with Pakistan, who had in an earlier beaten the Dutchmen 2-0, bowed out of the medal race.

Both Germany and The Netherlands finished with eight points, one less than Pakistan, but the former had an inferior goal difference of 7 for and 6 against compared to the Dutch's 11 for and 8 against.

Great Britain matched the Germans in the first half which saw both teams have several scoring chances though without success. Germany's best chance of scoring came when captain Christian Mayerhoefer ran the ball into the circle only to be stopped by Great Britain's tight defence.

After a goalless first-half, the Germans came out firing in the second half and scored in the 37th minute through Mayerhoefer. Minutes later, Great Britain equalised off a penalty-corner through Craig Parnham's flick from the top of the circle.

The perseverance of the British paid off with ten minutes to go for the final whistle when their penalty-corner specialist Calum Giles flicking the ball over the German goalkeeper Christopher Reitz from a penalty-corner to put the issue beyond doubt.

In the semi-finals on Thursday, Pakistan will take on South Korea while The Netherlands clash with Australia.

South Korea advanced after Poland held India to a 1-1 draw in the concluding preliminary league match, the Poles scoring an equaliser with just a minute to go for the hooter.

Australia had beaten Korea earlier in the day to assure themselves a place in the last four from Group B.

Germany, Great Britain, Poland and India will now play-off the 5-8 positions, hoping to finish among the top six to qualify for the next Champions Trophy.

Poland and Great Britain finished fourth in their respective groups with five and eight points respectively.

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