Champions Trophy: Spain thump Britain, Aus thrash Pakistan

Australia's Jamie Dwyer scored a hat-trick as the Kookaburras thrashed Pakistan 6-1 to top Pool A in the FIH Champions Trophy played in Auckland on Tuesday. The Netherlands won Pool B thanks to a 3-3 draw with host nation New Zealand, who rallied from three goals down to tie the scores. The result saw the Black Sticks seal a place in Pool C, putting them in the Championship Pool ahead of Germany. They were joined in Pool C by Spain, who thumped Great Britain 8-1.

Santi Freixa and Roc Oliva scored a brace each as Spain defeated Great Britain 8-1 in their final match of Pool A. It was a magnificent display from the Spanish, who rallied from 1-0 down to score four times in either half to seal their place in Pool C. Great Britain will now play in for 5-8 in Pool D.

The early part of the game was heavily dominated by Great Britain, who did well to keep the Spanish strikers at bay. Great Britain opened the match scoring midway through the half when Barry Middleton was on hand to force home a penalty corner rebound from close range.

Spain immediately drew level when unmarked Edi Tubau received the ball in front of goal before calmly slotting past Great Britain keeper George Pinner.

Spain went on to add to their tally when Pau Quemada drilled home Spain's second before captain Santi Freixa produced a stunning shot which rattled into the goal off the left post.

Spain's fourth goal arrived five minutes before half time.

The Spanish forwards continued their dominance in the second half not letting the GB defence rest. A fifth goal soon arrived, and it was defender Juan Fernandez who slid in to convert in the 44th minute.

Freixa netted a sixth before Roc Oliva completed the scoring with a blistering penalty corner flick in the final minute, giving Spain a magnificent victory which secures their place in Pool C where they will compete for the 1-4 places.

Korea fought back from 2-0 down to share points with Germany, but their stay in the competition was cut short. Germany lead 2-0 at half time (Florian Fuchs and Jan-Marco Montag), but Korea rattled in three goals through Hyo Sik You, Young Jin Kim and Jong Ho Seo to put them in a strong position. However, Germany equalised late in the match with Thilo Stralkowski tapping in the winner.

A fairly drab first half came to life in the 31st minute when Christopher Wesley's cross was slotted home by Florian Fuchs. Jan-Marco Montag fired home Germany's second goal from the top of the circle right at the stroke of half time.

Korea started the second half more willfully and their hardwork paid off in the 48th minute when Hyo Sik You dived in at the far post to pull a goal back.

Eight minutes later Young Jin Kim's field goal put them level and the Koreans took lead in the 64th minute thanks to a wonderful strike from Jong Ho Seo.

Germany struck the equaliser two minutes later through Thilo Stralkowski.

Australia recorded their biggest ever Champions Trophy victory over Pakistan after Jamie Dwyer and Eddie Ockenden helped Australia thrash Pakistan 6-1 on Tuesday.

Dwyer took his goal tally at the tournament to six after striking a fine hat-trick.

Dwyer opened the scoring the 22nd minute of the match when his speculative cross within the circle was inadvertently diverted into his own net by Pakistan keeper Salman Akbar. Their advantage was doubled four minutes from the end of the half when Eddie Ockenden lashed home a powerful reverse stick effort.

In the second half Australia were severe on the Pakistan defence. Luke Doerner brought a good save from Akbar from a penalty corner, but when a second was awarded Doerner sent his effort just inside the right post to give Australia a 3-0 lead. Jamie Dwyer then quickly added two goals from close range. Mark Patterson crashed home a sixth from a tight angle.

The only consolation goal for Pakistan came Muhammad Zubair who scored through a penalty corner.

New Zealand came back from 3-0 down to draw with The Netherlands and book a berth Iin the Championship Pool.

The Netherlands also find a place in the Championship Pool following the draw.

In an intriguing encounter, New Zealand were 3-0 down early in the second half, but produced an epic fight-back following goals from Blair Hilton, Phil Burrows and Dean Couzins two minutes from the end.

The Netherlands were superb in the first half and silenced the home crowd with two incredible goals. FIH Young Player of the Year nominee Billy Bakker sounded the boards with a powerful reverse stick shot in the 28th minute before Jeroen Hertzberger doubled the lead a minute later.