Defending titlists Australia and Athens silver medalists the Netherlands made a dramatic 2-2 draw in the Olympic men's hockey tournament at Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday, becoming the only two unbeaten teams and assuring them of semifinal spots.

Thanks to a late goal from the penalty corner specialist Taeke Taekema who converted one at the final second of the match, the Netherlands came back from 2-1 down to take a draw.

The two teams held each other in play so hard that the first half saw a 0-0 end.

It was not until the 55th minute that Taeke Taekema scored a penalty corner, but Eddie Ockenden leveled the score on a field goal for Australia three minutes later. The other goal came from Luke Doerner on a penalty corner in the 61st minute.

Both gaining ten points, Australia now rank top of Pool B with superior goal differences to Germany.

In other Pool B matches, Britain drew with Canada 1-1, and it was Canada's first point in the Beijing Olympics.

South Africa, though routed 3-1 by Pakistan as their fourth loss, got their first Olympic goal from Muhammad Saqlain on a penalty corner.

In Pool A, hosts China earned their first point by drawing with New Zealand 2-2. After losing three matches, China's draw was somewhat saving face, but China's coach Kim Sang-ryul was unhappy about the result. "But it's the South Korean coaching problem, not the Chinese players' problem," he noted.

"We missed lots of opportunities. If we get the three points, we could have qualified the semifinals", said New Zealand coach Shane Mcleod, adding that the Chinese players played very fast.

China are now ranked bottom of Pool A, following Belgium with the same point but one goal difference.

The fourth-ranked Spain, defeated by World No. 2 Germany 1-0, still top the pool with nine points, with Germany one point behind.

New Zealand are in third position with seven points, the same as South Korea who, however, are placed second with more goals.

If Spain outplay South Korea and Germany down New Zealand in the next phase, they two will qualify for the semifinals.

Source:Xinhua