Pakistan off to a disappointing start as Bindra creates history

BEIJING - On a day when India's Abhinav Bindra made history in men's 10m air rifle shooting - thus becoming the first ever South Asian to win an individual Olympic gold - Pakistan hockey team had a rather pedestrian start to its campaign that given its performances in the lead-up events was in any case high on fond hopes and low on realistic assessment.

Pakistan had only recently made a spectacular comeback at a Dublin four-nation tournament when it drew level with Great Britain after a three-goal deficit. The history repeated itself here at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium but only half way through. Britain again clubbed three first half goals as Pakistan defence fumbled and wilted. This time round though Pakistan could not prevent Britain's victory - at the Olympic Games its first since 1952.

Pakistan rallied back with some measure of spirit in the second half to knock the deficit down to just one goal. But with 10 minutes to go, Britain turned the tables with another strike through Matt Daly on a short corner rebound to make it 4-2. That put the issue beyond doubt in the 62nd minute.