The Netherlands rally to clinch draw with Germany in Delhi

DUTCH captain Teun de Nooijer scored a vital equaliser for the Netherlands against Germany to put them in pole position to qualify for the semi finals of the Hockey World Cup in Delhi.

The Netherlands now sit top of Pool A with ten points, two ahead of Germany with the top two in the group going through to the penultimate stage.

The Dutch had taken the lead in the game after 23 minutes after Wouter Jolie scored from a penalty corner but could not hold on to their lead in the second half.

Goals from Germany's Oliver Korn and Jan Marco-Montag saw the world number one side go ahead on 63 minutes but the Dutch continued to pile on the pressure.

With only five minutes remaining de Nooijer levelled the game at 2-2 and Germany could not find a winner despite being awarded a penalty corner in the last minute.

In a high scoring game Korea thrashed Canada 9-2 to take them to third in the table, just one point behind Germany and with it all to play for in their final pool game against the Netherlands.

Jang Jong Hyun scored a hat-trick for Korea, while Nam Hyun Woo and You Hyo Sik added two each.

Lee Nam Yong and Yoon Sung Hoon also scored for South Korea, while Philip Wright scored twice for Canada.

Meanwhile, Argentina pulled off a shock win coming through 1-0 against New Zealand in a closely fought match.

Argentina, beaten in their three previous games and who can no longer reach the semi finals, earned the winner in the 55th minute through Facundo Callioni, who slotted in a pass from the right by Pedro Ibarra.

The Black Sticks, who would have moved to nine points had they beaten Argentina, must now beat Germany to stay in contention for a semi final place.