Olympics hockey: GB men power past Pakistan

Great Britain's hockey men got back on track after their frustrating draw against South Africa with a 4-1 win over Pakistan at the Olympics.

James Tindall scored after four minutes and Jonty Clarke added another before half-time at the Riverbank Arena.

Two Ashley Jackson penalty corners made it 4-0 before Sohail Abbas responded with a late set-piece for Pakistan.

Britain and Australia are tied on seven points at the top of Pool A and the teams meet on Sunday at 19:00 BST.

"It was very important for us after a nightmare performance against South Africa but that was a much better performance, there was a lot more fight about us," said the 24-year-old Jackson.

"It wasn't easy at all. We knew that if we slipped up here then it was going to be very difficult from here on in, so we were playing with a bit of fear, which always makes it a bit better."

Tindall pounced on a loose ball with a sharp reverse-stick for the opener and, after failing to take advantage when Pakistan were briefly reduced to nine men, Britain scored a brilliant second, Clarke finishing off a flowing team move.

Pakistan failed with three successive penalty corners at the start of the second half before Jackson scored his third goal in two games with a low penalty corner flick, and he made it four with another penalty effort high into the corner.

"I have seen him play better but this is the standard Ashley has," said GB coach Jason Lee. "He tends to be notable when our team plays better.

"I think he was less noticeable against South Africa because the team played poorly. But he is a star, he loves the pressure and he thrives on it and he will be someone who will be scoring goals throughout this tournament and the rest of his career - and long may it continue."

Australia earlier let a two-goal lead slip against Argentina to draw 2-2, allowing Britain to join them on seven points after three games in Pool A.

In Pool B, the Netherlands thrashed New Zealand 5-1 and Germany had a similarly impressive 5-2 win over India. The top two teams from each group go through to the semi-finals.