Australia overcome Pakistan on day of close encounters

Published December 4, 2012
Netherlands players celebrate a goal against Belgium during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012.
Netherlands players celebrate a goal against Belgium during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012.
Xavier Reckinger of Belgium (Right) fires a shot at goal keeper Pirim Blaak of the Netherlands during a penalty corner at the end of the first half during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. The Nehterlands was leading 3-0 at half-time.
Xavier Reckinger of Belgium (Right) fires a shot at goal keeper Pirim Blaak of the Netherlands during a penalty corner at the end of the first half during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. The Nehterlands was leading 3-0 at half-time.
Xavier Reckinger of Belgium (Right) fires a shot at goal keeper Pirim Blaak of the Netherlands during a penalty corner at the end of the first half during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. The Nehterlands was leading 3-0 at half-time.
Xavier Reckinger of Belgium (Right) fires a shot at goal keeper Pirim Blaak of the Netherlands during a penalty corner at the end of the first half during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. The Nehterlands was leading 3-0 at half-time.
Nicholas Wilson of New Zealand (Right) powers past defenders Oliver Willars and David Condon (Left) of England during their Pool A match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012.
Nicholas Wilson of New Zealand (Right) powers past defenders Oliver Willars and David Condon (Left) of England during their Pool A match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012.
Birendra Lakra of India (Left) congratulates teammate Nithin Thimmaiah after scoring a goal against Germany in their Pool A Pool A match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Germany won the match 3-2.
Birendra Lakra of India (Left) congratulates teammate Nithin Thimmaiah after scoring a goal against Germany in their Pool A Pool A match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Germany won the match 3-2.
Captain Klaas Vermeulen of The Netherlands (Right) beats Cedric Charlier of Belgium (Left) to the ball during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. The Netherlands won the match 5-4.
Captain Klaas Vermeulen of The Netherlands (Right) beats Cedric Charlier of Belgium (Left) to the ball during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. The Netherlands won the match 5-4.
Shafqat Rasool of Pakistan fights his way though Kieren Govers (Right) and Eddie Ockenden of Australia (Left) during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Australia won the match 1-0 at full-time.
Shafqat Rasool of Pakistan fights his way though Kieren Govers (Right) and Eddie Ockenden of Australia (Left) during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Australia won the match 1-0 at full-time.
Tension mounts between the teams after contact between Shakeel Ahmed (2nd Right) of Pakistan and Kieren Govers of Australia  during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Australia won the match 1-0 at full-time.
Tension mounts between the teams after contact between Shakeel Ahmed (2nd Right) of Pakistan and Kieren Govers of Australia during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Australia won the match 1-0 at full-time.
Shakeel Abbasi of Pakistan (Right) fights for the ball with Kieren Govers of Australia (Left) during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Australia won the match 1-0 at full-time.
Shakeel Abbasi of Pakistan (Right) fights for the ball with Kieren Govers of Australia (Left) during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Australia won the match 1-0 at full-time.
Glen Simpson of Australia (Right) beat Shakeel Abbasi of Pakistan to the ball during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012.  Australia won the match 1-0 at full-time.
Glen Simpson of Australia (Right) beat Shakeel Abbasi of Pakistan to the ball during their Pool B match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Australia won the match 1-0 at full-time.
Marco Miltkau of Germany (Right) leaps as Gurmail Singh of India (Left) has a crack at goal during the German - India Pool A match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Germany won the match 3-2. 
 8- Klaas Vermeulen of the Netherlands hits the ball during the Pool B match against Belgium at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. The Nehterlands was leading 3-0 at half-time.
Marco Miltkau of Germany (Right) leaps as Gurmail Singh of India (Left) has a crack at goal during the German - India Pool A match at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. Germany won the match 3-2. 8- Klaas Vermeulen of the Netherlands hits the ball during the Pool B match against Belgium at the Men's Hockey Champions Trophy tournament in Melbourne on December 4, 2012. The Nehterlands was leading 3-0 at half-time.

India finished top of Pool A despite going down 3-2 in their final pool game to Olympic champions Germany at the Champions Trophy in Melbourne on Tuesday.

World number 11 India will now face win-less Belgium, who finished fourth in Pool B, in a quarter-final on Thursday. The Netherlands, ranked three in the world, topped Pool B after defeating Belgium 5-4 and will face New Zealand in their quarter-final. Elsewhere, England blew their chance to finish on top of Pool A after drawing 1-1 against New Zealand and will now face Australia in the quarter-finals after the Kookaburras beat Pakistan 1-0 in the evening game. Germany complete the quarter-final lineup with a match against Pakistan. - Photos by AFP

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