Spain made a timely return to form to hold hosts Australia to a 2-2 draw in the Olympic men's hockey in Sydney today. What was expected to be an easy outing for the kookaburras almost turned into a nightmare as Spain finally showed the touch that won them the silver medal at Atlanta four years ago.
The draw threw open the race for the two semi-final berths from Group B, with all six teams still in contention ahead of the last two rounds of preliminary matches. Australia and South Korea lead the group with five points each, followed by India and Poland, who both have four points.
Even Spain and Argentina, trailing with two points apiece, fancy their chances as the tournament lives up to it's hype of being the most open ever.
Australia took an early lead in the eighth minute when veteran Stephen Davies converted a penalty corner, but Spain drew level four minutes later through Pablo Amat's corner hit. It was Spain's turn to go ahead immediately after the interval when Xavier Arnau deflected in a pass from the right.
Australia, however did not disappoint a full house at the 15,000-seater State Hockey Centre with a brilliant equaliser from Adam Commens four minutes later.
Commens latched on to a pass from the left, dribbed his way to the right before beating Spanish goalkeeper Ramon Jufresa with a Backhan flick.
Australia play Argentina and Spain clash with India in their next matches on Saturday.
Bureau Report