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MADRID, March 7: Veteran striker Greg Nicol scored both South Africa's goals to defeat Japan 2-1 in the men's Olympic qualifying field hockey tournament here on Sunday.
South Africa's second win, which followed the 6-0 win over Poland on Friday, has put them in third place in Pool A with one match to play, against Great Britain on Tuesday.
Japan's Takahiko Yamahori scored first midway through the first half, converting a penalty corner with an unstoppable drag-flick past Chris Hibbert in South Africa's goal. The loss leaves Japan at the bottom of Pool A and out of contention for Athens.
SPAIN WIN: Earlier, Great Britain lost 2-1 to Spain, their third loss in four outings in Pool A.
The win guarantees Spain a semifinal birth and automatic qualification for Athens. In a scoreless first half, Great Britain conceded five penalty corners with Simon Mason in the British goal saving three shots with one run down by Niall Stott and another going wide of the left post.
Great Britain scored first, two minutes into the second half, putting together a string of three passes along the left from Niall Stott to Jimmy Wallis and on to Barry Middleton in the centre who laid off to Danny Hall to fire into goal.
Spain earned two penalty corners seven minutes later and Mason allowed Xavier Ribas' low flick that deflected off Mason's left glove low down and rolled into goal to equalise.
Results:
Spain 2 Great Britain 1
South Africa 2 Japan 1
Netherlands 4 Poland 0 -AFP
