In a battle of defences, the top two teams in men's hockey have fought out a tough draw at the Champions Trophy in Spain overnight.

The result was the third draw of the day, with Gemany and Pakistan ending at three-all and Argentina and Spain at one apiece, leaving the battle for Sunday's final wide open.

At the top of the table the Kookaburras and Netherlands share the lead on four points, with Germany and Spain on two, and Pakistan and Argentina on one.

With three rounds to go, it's still anyone's tournament and sets the scene for a great week of hockey, and a mouthwatering couple of months with the World Cup six weeks later.

The last time these two teams met the Netherlands ran all over a sluggish Kookaburras outfit 6-2 in the Azlan Shah final, however, with a few players returning to the side, and their pride on the line, the Kookaburras were never going to repeat that performance.

Troy Elder scored his third goal for the tournament in the 29th minute when he intercepted a run, took the ball into the circle and flicked it past the Dutch keeper, Vogels, for the Kookaburras' first.

The lead was shortlived though when Taeke Taekema, the Dutch penalty corner specialist, fired through his fourth goal for the tournament right on half time.

After the break the match continued where it left off with tempers heating up as both sides continued to fight for the win. Some great last-line defence from both teams saved several good opportunities with Stephen Mowlam throwing himself around the box to prevent a couple of Taekema drag flicks.

At full-time though the match ended in a 1-1 draw, a fitting result for these two evenly matched sides.

Hot off this bruising encounter the Kookaburras' next match is against the silky skilled Spaniards, on Tuesday, another incredibly tough test, particularly with their home crowd on their side.

Hockey Australia