KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6: One goal apiece by Kashif Ali and Waqas Sharif in the second half helped Pakistan earn an improbable 3-3 draw with South Korea and salvage some pride in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament on a rainy Thursday.

Playing amid heavy rainfall, the Koreans dominated the proceedings in the opening half as Jong Ho Seo beat Pakistan goalkeeper Salman Akbar to get his side in the lead.

Pakistan cashed in on the only serious opportunity that came their way in the 26th minute and equalised through Shakeel Abbasi who slammed home a superb goal.

The Koreans pumped in two more goals after the break to lead 3-1 as Hyo Sik You found the net before penalty corner specialist Jong Hyun Jang netted again.

Pakistan staged a late comeback into the game as they reduced the margin with a fine Waqas goal and then levelled the scores through Kashif just six minutes before the end.

The former champions still have a glimmer of hope about qualifying for next year’s Champions Trophy but they must beat Netherlands in their last game on Saturday and hope for defeats to Spain and Great Britain in their last league matches for that to happen.

European champions the Netherlands surrendered any remaining chance of retaining the Champions Trophy after drawing 3-3 with world number ones Australia here Thursday.

Both teams started the match at a ferocious pace but it was the Dutch who took the lead in the 10th minute after an excellent interchange in midfield between Jeroen Hertzberger and Rob Reckers, leaving the 21-year-old Hertzberger free to score his first senior international goal.The Aussies got back into the game in the 26th minute when Russell Ford scored from close range.

However, the Netherlands again went ahead when veteran Taeke Taekema converted a penalty corner.

But yet again the Aussies equalised, this time when Eddie Ockenden scored from close range in the 33rd minute to make it 2-2 at half-time.

The Aussies went behind again shortly after the break. A through-ball found Matthijs Brouwer alone on the left of the circle and he unleashed a ferocious shot past keeper Stephen Lambert.

But for a third time Australia drew level, in the 63rd minute, when Luke Doerner thumped home a penalty corner to ensure both teams grabbed a point each.—AFP