From correspondents in Beijing, China, 08:30 PM IST

Defending champions Australia powered to a 3-1 win over Pakistan in the Olympic men's hockey tournament Friday, taking them a further big step towards the semi-finals.

Pakistan, who must now pray for a miracle if they are to advance, having taken just three points from three games, opened the scoring through a Shakeel Abassi field goal after a quarter of an hour.

Grant Shubert struck back four minutes later, then the Aussies finished the job off in the second half with a penalty corner goal from Jamie Dwyer and a field goal from Travis Brooks.

The encounter left Australia - with goals a-plenty to their credit after the 10-0 trouncing of South Africa - still atop Pool B, ahead of the Netherlands, who in their earlier match beat Canada 4-2.

In Pool A, Spain took their unbeaten record to three with Pol Amat grabbing the clinching 2-1 against bottom-of-the-table China three minutes from time to ensure they stay top.

New Zealand beat Belgium 4-2 to edge Germany - for the moment at least - into third place. The Germans, who began the day two points adrift Spain, face the tough prospect of South Korea in the late match.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)