Germany romps into final

European champions Germany entered the final of the men's Champions Trophy hockey tournament when they edged past Pakistan 5-4 on the fourth day of the competition in Rotterdam on Wednesday.

In other matches of the day, Australia scored their third successive victory, getting the better of England 3-2 while the Netherlands squeezed past Korea 3-2 in a re-match of last year's Olympic final.

The Germans are at the top of the table with 12 points and are still unconquered, while Australia are second with nine points. The Netherlands lie in third place with seven points and Pakistan at fourth with four points.

For Australia, a win against Olympic silver-medallists Korea in their final match this Saturday will send them to the final of this prestigious world hockey event. A draw in Saturday’s match may also be enough to see the Kookaburras through to the final. However, should the Netherlands win their last game against tournament leaders Germany, goal difference will be used to separate the teams and determine who takes the final berth.

Leaders Germany, the winners of the Azlan Shah Cup last August, struck three goals in the space of five minutes to take 4-2 lead before the half-time while Sohail Abbas scored of a hat trick for Pakistan.

Germany opened the score in the fifth minute when Oliver Domke converted with a reverse flick from a Bjorn Michel pass.

The Germans increased the lead in the 28th minute through Michael Green and then struck twice to make it 4-0.

German captain Florian Kunz scored off a penalty-stroke in the 31st minute, while Christian Wein slammed home the fourth two minutes before the half-time.

Pakistan, however, came back with two goals from Sohail in the 34th and 35th minutes, scoring off penalty-corners.

In the second half, Mohammad Nadeem wasted a simple chance of scoring. But Pakistan earned two penalty-corners, of which one was converted by Sohail in the 51st minute to complete his hat-trick.

The German's scored their fifth goal in the 54th minute off a penalty-stroke through Florian Kunz while Pakistanis skipper Mohammad Sarwar narrowed the lead two minutes later.

In the second match of the day, both Australia and England started tentatively with neither side holding possession long enough to sustain any pressure on the opposition.

Matthew Wells was the first to break through England’s defence, scoring his first penalty-corner goal for the tournament with a powerful strike in the 20th minute.

England replied soon after when their right striker collected a powerful left side cross for a deflected goal, but Queensland midfielder Troy Elder re-established Australia’s lead within the minute converting a penalty-corner with a low flick to place the half-time score at 2-1.

The second half commenced in very heavy rain and blustery conditions and England scored their second goal seven minutes into the half to level the scores.

It was an exciting goal from the Australian through Jeremy Hiskins that completed the scoring for the match and gave Australia the win. Hiskins received the ball 30 metres out from goal, eliminated a defender and with great control and poise slipped the ball under an advancing English goalkeeper with 17 minutes still remaining in the game.

Jamie Dwyer had a mirrored chance to Hiskins in the last minute, however his shot hit the side netting.

Australia now look ahead to their final match this Saturday where they face Olympic silver-medallists Korea in a consequential game. Australia defeated Korea during the Olympic Games last year, but went down to them 3-0 in their more recent encounter at the 2001 Sultan Azlan Cup in August.

In the last match of the day, tournament whipping boys Korea put the frighteners on the Netherlands before they bowed to pressure at the halfway mark to finally lose their match 2-3 for their fourth defeat in as many days.

Complete Coverage: 23rd Men's Champions Trophy 2001