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Spain shuts out Egypt, New Zealand beats South Africa
Spain secured a place in the semifinals of the men's hockey event with a 3-0 win. A loss or a draw for Spain would have made it possible for South Korea to finish first.
Spain secured a place in the semifinals of the Olympic men's field hockey tournament with a 3-0 win on Monday over Pool A opponents Egypt on the final day of qualifying matches. A loss or a draw for Spain would have made it possible for South Korea, which played Germany later on Monday, to finish first.
Egypt was in last place in its pool with five losses.
In another early match on Monday, New Zealand beat South Africa 4-1 to finish third in Pool B behind semifinal-bound Netherlands and Australia.
In later matches on Monday, Pakistan plays Britain, India takes on Argentina and Australia plays the Netherlands.
Spain opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a goal from open play by Eduardo Tubau, who scored on a rebound after the Egyptian goalkeeper saved a shot from Pablo Pol Amat. The winners added a second in the 62nd minute on a penalty stroke awarded when Santiago Freixz was fouled in front of the goal. Amat took the stroke for Spain and sent it high into the net to make the score 2-0.
Spain's playoff opponent will be determined after Germany's match with South Korea.
Dave Kosoof opened the New Zealand scoring in the 15th minute, but South Africa levelled 13 minutes later on a goal by Emile Smith. Penalty corner specialist Hayden Shaw scored his fifth goal of the tournament from a set piece to break the tie, then did the same 10 minutes on another penalty corner to give the Kiwis a 3-1 lead. Phillip Burrows scored New Zealand's fourth goal.
