Hockey: Dutch too good for Pakistan

PAKISTAN surrendered their unbeaten record at the Amsterdam seven-nations men's tournament yesterday, going down 6-2 against the Netherlands.

Australia maintained their unblemished record with a 4-0 win over Argentina to go one point clear of the Dutch at the top of the standings, and two ahead of Pakistan. Germany were fourth with four points after thrashing South Africa 4-0 to win their first match.

Floris-Jan Bovelander, with three goals from penalty corners and a fourth from a penalty in the opening 20 minutes, gave the Dutch an unassailable lead against Pakistan. Bovelander's pass set up Stephan Veen for the fifth goal in the first half, before Danish Kaleem and Kamran Ashraf led a late surge by Pakistan. However, the last word was with Remco Van Wijk who scored a fine solo goal in the last minute to make it 6-2.

Australia drew on solid defence and an ability to capitalise on penalty corners, scoring three times from their first four attempts. Greg Corbitt opened the scoring and Australia added another two before half-time through Jay Stacy, with a flicked penalty corner shot, and Mark Hager. Another flick by Stacy at a penalty corner 10 minutes after the interval completed the scoring.