Australians Win to Reach Medal Round

Australia got first-half goals on field shots by Mark Hager and Jay Stacy in a 2-0 victory over Britain to clinch a spot alongside the Netherlands in Pool B in men’s field hockey.

In other games, the Netherlands remained unbeaten and kept South Africa winless with a 4-1 victory, and South Korea beat Malaysia, 4-2.

The top two teams in each pool advance to the medal round, so the Australians’ win was crucial because it gave them a two-point lead over the third-place British (1-1-3). Both teams finished their round-robin portion of the Olympic schedule.

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The medal hopes that shined so brightly for the U.S. women’s field hockey team vanished Sunday night when Argentina tied favored South Korea, 2-2, knocking the United States into seventh place.

Australia, South Korea and the Netherlands have clinched berths in the medal round. Britain, Germany and Argentina have a chance for the fourth berth.