Defending champions the Netherlands received another setback in the Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday when they were held to a 3-3 draw by leaders Germany.
The Dutch, who suffered a shocking 6-2 defeat to South Korea in their previous match, dominated against Germany for most part but couldn't close out.
The draw leaves the European champions on eight points from five games and reduces considerably their chances of making it to the final. They now lie fourth in the eight-team table.
Germany, on the other hand, lead the table with 13 points from five games and look certain to be one of the finalists. This was their first draw in this competition after four successive wins.
In other matches, Olympic champions Australia lost 2-3 to 2005 titlists Spain to lose their second position in the table. The eight-time winners now lie third with nine points from five matches and face two tough games against the Netherlands and Germany next.
South Korea, taking advantage of the Aussie slip up, moved into second place with a 3-2 win over hosts Malaysia. Their third win of the competition puts the Koreans on 10 points from five matches.
Meanwhile, Britain scored a comfortable 4-1 win over three-time champions Pakistan.
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