July 31, 2006	Monday	Rajab 4, 1427

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TERRASSA, July 30: The Netherlands beat Germany 2-1 on Sunday to capture the Champions Trophy hockey for a record-tying eighth time after going unbeaten in the six-nation tournament.

Taeke Taekema scored on his second penalty corner, spearing a flick through the German defense to give the Dutch a 1-0 lead.

Floris Evers went close a few minutes later with a run into the circle from the left side, fooling several German defenders but not the goalkeeper.

Three minutes before the break, Teun de Nooijer scored with a brilliant individual effort. The reigning World Hockey Player of the Year, relatively quiet for much of the tournament, shot from the top of the circle.

Germany captain Timo Wess scored with a penalty corner variation five minutes after halftime.

The Germans pressed the Dutch defence for much of the second half but could not score.

Tibor Weissenborn went close twice in the final 15 minutes but his shots were well covered by Netherlands goalkeeper Guus Vogels or the last line of the Netherlands defence.

Two missed penalty strokes by Australia handed Spain third place as Pakistan salvaged some pride by beating Argentina 3-1 to finish fifth.

After 70 minutes Spain and Australia had each scored twice and started 15 minutes of golden goal play.

Three minutes after the start of extra time, Australia earned a penalty stroke, disputed for several minutes by Spain with umpire Hamish Jamson.

Brent Livermore rebounded his stroke off the right post without scoring and neither team scored in extra time.

The result went to five penalty strokes and Australia's Luke Doerner failed to score, hitting the left post at head height with Australia's last penalty stroke after both teams had traded scoring strokes.

In the scoreless first half Spain had the better chances to score through five penalty corners but Stephen Mowlem, Australia's goalkeeper, made four acrobatic dives to deny Spain.

Luke Doerner converted Australia's first penalty corner three minutes into the second half and Eduard Tubau punished a defensive error to get a free shot on goal to score for Spain.

Michael McCann set up Grant Eglington to also get a free shot on goal for Australia to lead 2-1 then Spain's Pol Amat deflected in a free hit from outside the circle to make the equaliser.

Pakistan defeated Argentina 3-1 to take fifth place repeating its 2-1 win over Argentina in the round robin match.

Pakistan’s Rehan Butt scored two field goals in the first half and Sohail Abbas converted the second of Pakistan's three penalty corner five minutes into the second half.

Argentina had four penalty corner chances with Mario Cammareri converting the third.

Asif Bajwa predicted a semi-final place for Pakistan in September's World Cup

“I am sure the boys have the potential to come into the last four in the World Cup,” Bajwa said.—Agencies