PERTH, April 24: India, who will be missing from this year’s Olympics for the first time, grabbed a last-minute equaliser to rock fancied Australia in the four-nations field hockey tournament here on Thursday.

V.R. Raghunath was India’s hero when he forced home a penalty corner in the 70th minute for the 2-2 draw after the reigning Olympic champions had looked set to post their second victory of the tournament.

South Korea, who drew 2-2 with China in Thursday’s early match, and Australia both have four points after two matches, but the Koreans have a superior goal difference.

Australia and South Korea will meet each other in the last round robin match on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s final, while India take on China.

India scored first in the 27th minute from a penalty corner before rapid-fire field goals from Grant Schubert put Australia in front and looking the likely winners until Raghunath’s late intervention.

India’s record of having played in every Olympic Games men’s field hockey tournament since 11928 ended last month when they were beaten in a crucial qualifier by Great Britain in Chile.—AFP