LONDON: Australia overwhelmed Spain 5-0 in men's field hockey at the London Olympics Wednesday, turning what was expected to be a close match into a rout.

Defending champion Germany beat South Korea 1-0 to move into second position in their group, behind medal hopeful the Netherlands.

And Mink van der Weerden scored twice as the Dutch team beat Belgium 3-1 for its second win of the tournament to go top of Group B.

Despite the two wins, the Dutch are not yet happy with their form in London.

“We have to fix the little things, the little things that go wrong,” he said.

“I have not got a real reason. Sometimes we have to trap the ball twice, or the pass goes just behind, but we'll be all right.”

Britain took an early lead against South Africa in their Group A match through Ashley Jackson's corner. South Africa looked to have stolen the win with two goals inside five minutes late in the second half by Austin Smith and Jonathan Robinson, but Jackson secured a draw by scoring his second with less than three minutes left to play.

Britain almost snatched a win but South Africa goalkeeper Erasmus Pieterse saved a last minute penalty corner.

“It was very exciting,” Pieterse said.

“I saved the penalty corner with my left arm. It hit me right there.”

Five different players got on the score sheet for Australia, which took a 3-0 lead into half time and then put two more past Spain after the break, including a last minute corner by Eddie Ockenden.

“We're fully aware of how good all the other teams are and how good we need to play to win,” said Australian defender Liam de Young.

“I don't think we have achieved perfection, but we strive to achieve it.”

Australia has now scored 11 goals without conceding in its two wins on the blue artificial turf of the Riverside Arena and sits atop Group A.

New Zealand handed India its second straight defeat, rallying from a goal down to win 3-1.

A 33rd-minute goal by forward Christopher Zeller gave Germany the victory over South Korea in the last match of the day to give the German side hopes of progressing to the semifinals.