Belgium hold Aussies in Champions Trophy thriller

BHUBANESWAR, India: Tom Boon slammed in a last-gasp penalty corner to help Belgium force a dramatic 4-4 draw from world number ones Australia in the Champions Trophy field hockey tournament in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

Australia, who have won the last five Champions Trophy titles, appeared headed for an easy victory over Belgium when they ran up a 3-0 lead by the 21st minute.

But the fast-improving Belgians, ranked fourth in the world, scored twice in quick succession to make it 2-3 at half-time.

Flynn Ogilvie scored his first international goal to extend the Kookaburras´ lead to 4-2 in the 37th minute, but John-John Dohmen narrowed the margin for Belgium soon after.

The determined Belgians forced a series of penalty corners in the last quarter and were rewarded with just three seconds remaining in the match when Boon recovered a miscued drag-flick after a penalty corner and smashed in the equaliser.

Belgium, who defeated Pakistan 2-1 in their opening match on Saturday, have four points from two games.

The new-look Kookaburras, rebuilding after the retirement of veterans Liam de Young and Rob Hammond earlier this year and missing the injured duo of Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles, were left with just one point.

In pool B matches later on Sunday, the Netherlands take on Germany and India play Argentina.

The preliminary group stage determines the line-up for the knock-out rounds that will be contested by all eight sides. (AFP)