Beijing: Their fourth place finish in the pool meant Pakistan will miss next years elite Champions Trophy reserved for the top six teams in the competition.

Taekema blamed the first half blues on the early 8.30 am start, a complaint also made by Spanish coach Maurits Hendriks last week. "I have been up since five in the morning and found it tough to take the field so early in the day," said Taekema.

"I think we improved as the game went on because we were a little more awake."

Taekema said he had no preference on which side the Dutch met in the semi final.

"You are never going to get an easy team at the Olympics," he said. "These are the 12 top teams of the world and it will be hard and challenging on who we play."

Pakistan coach Naveed Alam said his team should have finished higher in the competition, but for several missed chances.

"We should have scored more goals in our previous matches because we had the chances, but never made use of them," he said. "This has been a great learning experience for the youngsters in the side and I am confident they will do well in future."

Germany, meanwhile, took a 2-0 lead by the ninth minute against New Zealand through goals by Timo Wess and Matthias Witthaus.

Penalty corner specialist Hayden Shaw pulled one back for the Kiwis in the 46th before Florian Keller sealed Germany s domination with his teams third goal in the 55th. New Zealand ended the competition with two wins, two losses and a draw.
Source : PTI