Olympics hockey: Britain beat South Korea for fifth place

Beijing, Aug 23 : Britain beat South Korea 5-2 to secure fifth place on the final day of the Olympic men's hockey tournament Saturday as Spain and Germany prepared for the final.

All the goals came in the second half as a brace from Jonty Clarke proved the British turning point after opening goals from Barry Middleton and Jang Jong Hyun.

Further British goals came from Ashley Jackson and Glenn Kirkham, while Hyun Hye Sung got the Koreans' second.

China earlier beat South Africa 4-3 in extra time in the match for 11th place, the golden goal winner coming off a penalty corner from captain Song Yi, his third goal of the match.

New Zealand had already ended the tournament seventh Thursday with a 4-2 win over Pakistan, while Belgium ended 9th after beating Canada 3-0.

World champions Germany were later taking on a Spanish side looking to add Olympic gold to their silver medals of the Moscow Games in 1980 and Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

Although the Germans won their earlier pool encounter 1-0, they will need a sharper attack than against the Netherlands in the semi- final, which they won on penalties.

The bronze medal match will be between the Netherlands and Australia - a re-run of the 2004 final in Athens which Australia won. The Beijing tournament saw the two part 2-2 in the pool stage.

--IANS