ATHENS, Aug 16: World champions Germany thwarted a spirited Pakistan fight back to open their Olympic men's field hockey campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory here on Sunday.

Germany took the lead in the seventh minute when Bjoern Emmerling found the target from a narrow angle. Bjoern Michel increased the margin four minutes before the interval when he pushed in a pass from Christoph Eimer.

Pakistan attacked after the break and Butt sounded the boards nine minutes into the second half following a good move by Kashif Jawwad. The Netherlands, seeking a third successive gold medal, brushed aside former champions India 3-1 after ace midfielder Teun de Nooijer set up one goal and scored another himself.

The defending champions led 1-0 at half-time following a second-minute goal by Marten Eikelboom from a pass by De Nooijer. De Nooijer scored himself in the 50th minute, while Teake Taekema smashed in a penalty corner four minutes later.

Gagan Ajit Singh scored a last-minute consolation goal through a penalty corner. South Korea compounded Asia's misery by being held to a 1-1 draw by Spain, narrowly avoiding defeat only because Xavier Ribas missed a penalty stroke.

Meanwhile, Jamie Dwyer scored the first hat trick of the competition as Australia began another journey for the elusive Olympic gold with a 4-1 rout of trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand.

South Africa came from behind to defeat Argentina 2-1 following a two-goal burst in as many minutes by star striker Greg Nicol. Britain rounded off an engrossing opening day with a 3-1 defeat of Egypt, goals coming from Barry Middleton, Guy Fordham and Ben Hawes. -Agencies

Group A