Pakistan

Former hockey powerhouse Pakistan finished the Olympic men's hockey tournament in fifth place on Friday while Egypt slumped out of the tournament 12th.



Pakistan ran New Zealand ragged in their play-off and showed signs they are coming back from years in the doldrums with a 4-2 win, including three screaming penalty-corner goals nalties from drag flick expert Sohail Abbas.

Abbas, 29, is the top scorer so far at the Athens Olympics, adding 11 to take his tally to 261 -- six off the world record of 267 held by Dutchman Paul Litjens. Abbas already holds the record of fastest player to have reached 100 and 200 goals.

"I'm happy to have scored today but we expected to be on the medal stand, so fifth place is still disappointing," Abbas said.

Eight-times Olympic champion India, who have not won a medal since 1980, ended seventh with a 5-2 win over South Korea, who took eighth place.

Britain played South Africa under the scorching midday sun, made all the worse by the fact that they drew 1-1 and had to play through extra-time. Finally, Britain won a penalty shootout 4-3 and took ninth place with South Africa 10th.

At the bottom of the table, Egypt battled not to take home the wooden spoon. They managed to equalise twice against Argentina but two second-half goals from Mario Almada gave the South American side a 4-2 victory.

Later on Friday, Spain play Germany for the bronze medal while Australia meet defending champions the Netherlands in the gold medal match.

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