Kiwis hold Pakistan, Holland trounce Argentina

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan scored a last gasp goal to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat against New Zealand in a Pool 'B' match of the 15th Sultan Azlan Shah eight-nation hockey tournament here on Tuesday.

Trailing 2-3 till the 69th minute, Pakistan were saved by a penalty corner goal by Imran Warsi just before the hooter and share the top spot in the pool with the Kiwis with four points apiece.

The draw between Pakistan and New Zealand meant the Netherlands, who beat Argentina 4-1 in another match, were pushed to third spot with three points.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, the Kiwis took the lead in the sixth minute when Hayden Shaw converted a penalty corner, but Pakistan equalised in the 10th from a penalty corner of their own through Muhammad Imran.

On change of ends, the Kiwis regained the initiative as Shea Mcaleese found the boards with an indirect conversion in the 37th while the Pakistanis equalised yet again when Mohammad Saqlain flicked home a penalty stroke in the 44th.     

Past the 66th, Ben Collier made it 3-2 with a rasping drive from top of the circle following a right-wing move. With less than a minute left, Paksitan forced their fourth penalty corner and Imran Warsi's drive got deflected into the net.