Argentina,Australia draw in Olympic field hockey

Argentina overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to draw 2-2 with No. 1 ranked Australia and earn its first points in the men's field hockey competition at the London Games.

Argentina overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to draw 2-2 with No. 1 ranked Australia and earn its first points in the men’s field hockey competition at the London Games.

Argentina captain Matias Vila scored his side’s first goal just after halftime from open play and defender Gonzalo Peillat leveled the match from a penalty corner in the final minutes.

In another early match Friday,the Netherlands beat New Zealand 5-1 for its third win in a row.

Peillat said Argentina was finding its form.

”Our performance will give us a little bit more confidence,and that is a good thing for the two remaining matches that we have,” Peillat said.

Australian midfielder Matthew Butturini scored his third goal of the tournament,from an 11th-minute penalty corner,and Jamie Dwyer added Australia’s second on a 35th-minute field goal.

The goal was Dwyer’s fourth of the tournament and his 180th for Australia,making him the all-time top scorer for his team,overtaking forward Mark Hager.

”It’s a great honor,” Dwyer said. ”Mark Hager was a role model of mine.”

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New Zealand took an early lead over the Dutch on a fourth-minute field goal from forward Simon Child,who played his 170th game for his side. But goals from defender Mink van der Weerden and forwards Roderick Weusthof and Billy Bakker put the Netherlands in front 3-1 before halftime.

In the second half,Bakker added his second goal and midfielder Robbert Kemperman completed the Dutch scoring.

The Netherlands are three points clear of Germany in its group. The undefeated German side plays India,which has lost both its games,in a match later Friday. Also,Britain plays Pakistan,South Africa takes on Spain and Belgium plays South Korea.