An experimental German side came from behind to hold New Zealand 1-1 in a league match of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Lahore on Wednesday.
The world champions, playing with a young and inexperienced side, struck through Jan Marco Montag in the 44th minute to neutralise New Zealand's lead which the team from Down Under had taken in the first half. Phillip Burrows gave New Zealand the lead in the 26th minute by converting from a penalty corner.
The draw enabled both teams to open their account in the tournament but they continue to languish at the bottom of the table with just one point apiece.
Having lost all their matches so far, both New Zealand and Germany, probably the two weakest teams in the tournament, started cautiously so as to not concede any early goals. After some dull proceedings, New Zealand got ahead when they converted from the fourth penalty corner they earned.
Germany tried hard for the equaliser but that did not come in the first half. Germany upped their game a bit on resumption and got the equaliser nine minutes into the half as Montag slammed home from a penalty corner with a flat but bouncy shot.
In the other matches on Wednesday, Holland beat Spain 4-2 and Pakistan overcame the Indian challenge 2-1.
In their next matches tomorrow, New Zealand will play India while Germany will take on Holland.