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London: Australia re-established their reputation as the team to fear with a 7-0 demolition of Pakistan to confirm their place in the Olympic semi-finals as Pool A winners.
For the third time in five matches the Kookaburras scored five or more in a match - hitting seven for a second time - to finish with 23 goals to their tally.
Not content with having the best attacking record in the tournament they also are the strongest defensively, having let in just five which all came as they conceded leads to draw with Argentina and Great Britain.
They will now play Germany, the runners-up from Pool B.
Liam de Young turned in a fifth-minute penalty corner rebound before within seconds Matt Butturini, on his 25th birthday, was fouled and Mark Knowles converted from the penalty spot.
In a six-minute spell before half-time Chris Ciriello powerfully flicked home a penalty corner before smashing a brilliant reverse-stick shot past static goalkeeper Imran Shah from the top of the circle.
Pakistan had a chance to get on the scoresheet early in the second half but Muhammad Rizwan snr`s shot was saved by Nathan Burgers.
Australia were at their clinical best, however, and when Russell Ford cleverly dinked the ball past Muhammad Irfan his blistering shot flew past Shah and in off the underside of the crossbar.
Jamie Dwyer`s reverse-stick shot on the turn from the top of the circle was nowhere near as powerful but the goalkeeper misjudged the bounce and conceded a sixth.
Glenn Turner complete the rout two minutes from the end when he slid in to convert Eddie Ockenden`s cross after a swift passing move.
Holland finished their Pool B campaign with a 4-2 win over South Korea to keep their 100% record after a fifth successive victory. The win also helped European rivals Germany qualify for the semi-finals.
The Dutch had already made the last four, but Korea had to win to force Germany to get a result in the late game.
BDST: 2124 HRS, Augsut
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor