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Dutch hold Pakistan with late goal

Olympic champions The Netherlands needed a late goal to escape with a 2-2 draw against Pakistan in their Champions Trophy men's field hockey match today.

The Dutch, who hold the triple crown of Olympic, World Cup and Champions Trophy gold medals, looked set for their second loss from two matches when they trailed Pakistan with two minutes to go, but striker Marten Sikelboom saved a point by deflecting home a pass from Stephan Veen.

After Thursday's 3-2 loss to South Korea and today's draw, the Dutch will need luck and much improvement to reach the final of the six-team round-robin competition.

The Netherlands made the first breakthrough when Remco van Wijk converted a penalty-corner in the 23rd minute, a blow countered three minutes later through Pakistan captain Atif Bashir.

Pakistan hit into the lead four minutes after the break, through striker Mohammad Sarwar, when The Netherlands had star midfielder Jacques Brinkman sent off minutes earlier for dissent.

Jaap Derk Duma missed a controversial penalty stroke for the Dutch in the 64th minute, when he shot straight at the Pakistani goalkeeper.

The start of the match was delayed as Pakistan protested that two Dutch players were using illegal composite stick heads.

In the women's competition, Olympic and World Cup champion Australia followed up its 5-1 win over New Zealand with a 6-2 victory over Germany.

Alyson Annan and Claire Mitchell-Taverner notched a brace each for Australia, while Natascha Keller got two goals for Germany.

AP