KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2: World number one Australia had to dig deep to subdue a battling Pakistan 2-1 in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Sunday.

Australia, after an unexpected 1-0 defeat to Korea on Friday, struggled to cope with the speedy young Pakistan forwards, but they took the lead on a counter-attack in the 21st minute.

After the break, Pakistan led the charge but again Australia struck after a superb move from midfield in the 48th minute and Grant Schubert finished with a crisp shot.

Pakistan then hit back through Akhtar Ali in the 57th but despite the pressure, the Aussies held on for their second win of the tournament.

Spain lived up to their billing as one of the world’s top teams when they held hot favourites The Netherlands to a 3-3 draw, while Germany kept up their winning record when they came back from a goal down to edge out Asia’s number-one-ranked side Korea 2-1.

The Spain-Netherlands tie was the most exciting seen so far in the tournament, with both team trading blows in an all-action performance.

Spain had a score to settle after The Netherlands beat them 3-2 in the European Championship final in August.

The Netherlands went ahead with a superb field goal through Teun de Nooijer in the sixth minute. Then Spain took control of the game and pushed the Dutch back with two field goals through Victor Sojo and Eduard Tubau.

Two-one down at halftime, the Dutchmen came out flying in the second half and scored from a well-rehearsed free hit when Rob Reckers connected from close range in the 42nd minute.

Spain hit back when they broke through in the 48th minute, with David Alegre slamming home a long clearance from midfield, but again The Netherlands came back, and this time Ronald Brouwer thumped home the equaliser in the 55th.

In the Germany-Korea match, the European team conceded in the fifth minute when Yeo Woon-Kon put Korea ahead. But Germany came back strongly with goals from Nicolas Emmerling in the 41st minute and Sebastien Draguhn in the 58th.

Britain achieved their first win of the tournament when they beat host nation Malaysia 3-2.

Spanish coach Maurit Hendriks said his side should have won and that he was disappointed at the goals conceded.

“Obviously if they score three times from the same situation and it has been talked about, obviously the players and myself are disappointed in that aspect,” he said.

Dutch coach Roelant Oltmans paid tribute to the Spanish and said his side had expected them to fight all the way.

Australia’s assistant coach Colin Batch said the Aussies were pleased with the win.

“I thought we were in control for a large part of the game but towards the end of each half they certainly had some possession and were able to control and make some opportunities,” he said.

High-riding Germany face Spain on Monday.—AFP