Threetime champions Australia and heavyweights Argentina played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup here on Monday.

Hayward Jeremy opened the scoring for Australia by converting a penalty corner in the ninth minute but Argentina’s Domene Tomas restored parity in the 18th minute.

Beale Daniel then scored a field goal to put Australia in the lead but Argentina were once again back in the game courtesy Casella Maico’s 32nd minute strike.

Playing catch-up all evening, Argentina took the lead for the first time when Ferreiro Martin scored in the 48th minute.

They looked on course to clinch all three points on offer but Govers Blake scored in the dying minutes for Australia as the two sides split points.

Victory for France

In the other Pool A match, Charlet Victor converted two penalty corners to help France defeat South Africa 2-1.

South Africa’s lone goal came from the stick of Beauchamp Connor as he converted a penalty corner in the 15th minute.

In the Pool C matches in Rourkela, three-time champions Netherlands thrashed New Zealand 4-0, while Malaysia eked out a 3-2 win over Chile. Brinkman Thierry scored two field goals while Bijen Koen and Hoedemakers Tjep added two more goals.

In the opening match of the day, Rahim Razie, Hamsani Ashran and Sumantri Norsyafiq scored for Malaysia, while Amoroso Juan and Rodriguez Martin registered their names on the scoring sheet for Chile.

Sreejesh backs strategy

Veteran PR Sreejesh feels that his fellow-India goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak substituting him in alternate quarters was a good strategy from the coach. “We wanted to prepare together for the next stages of the World Cup. If anytime, anything happens to one of the two goalkeepers, the other will have to be on his toes. So, that is a good strategy,” Sreejesh told mediapersons in Rourkela.

Other results

⚫ France 2 SA 1

⚫ Netherlands 4 NZ 0

⚫ Malaysia 3 Chile 2