MADRID, March 9: Two goals by penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas steered Pakistan past New Zealand 4-1 to emerge group B leaders and booked a place for Athens Olympics hockey on Tuesday.

Sohail, who scored four times against arch-rivals India, grabbed goals in 25th and 35th minute after New Zealand had stunned the green shirts by taking lead through a Shaw strike in the 21st minute.

Later Khan and Shabbir grabbed goals in a space of three minutes to end New Zealand's resistance. Pakistan remain unbeaten in group matches and their only blemish was a 0-0 draw against Malaysia. -Agencies