Germany corner glory in 2nd men's Hockey World League Round 3 event

FILE PHOTO: Florian Fuchs scored a brace for Germany

Olympic gold medallists Germany were given a mighty scare by 10th ranked Argentina before they sealed the issue with two late goals to win the 2nd men’s FIH Hockey World League Round 3 event crown at Johor Bahru in Malaysia.

The world number one side was engaged in a nose-for-nose battle with the South Americans as both teams absorbed pressure at both ends.

Christopher Zeller gave Germany the lead in the 22nd minute with a fine field goal.

Drag-flick expert Gonzalo Peillat slammed home a penalty corner four minutes – his seventh goal of the tournament.

Florian Fuchs regained the lead for Germany in the 32nd minute before Argentina sensationally equalised at the stroke of half-time even as the match reached new heights with four goals were scored in a span of thirteen minutes.

Both teams fought hard to control the match, but goals eluded them until the dying moments of the game. It was again left to Florian Fuchs to break the logjam three minutes from the final hooter.

Argentina had to go all out for the equalizer and force the contest into a shootout, but Matias Parades ensured there were no last-minute blues for the black-and-white brigade as they romped home 4-2 and sealed their berth in the 2014 World Cup.

4th ranked England put it across Korea 2-1 to finish third and book its spot in the 2014 World Cup.

England took the early advantage with a 12th minute goal by Ben Arnold and held on to it at the break.

Kyu Seong Kim brought Korea back into the contest, converting a penalty corner in the 51st minute.

Harry Martin put England again head with eleven minutes to go for the final hooter and the blue-and-red brigade staved off all Korean resistance in the closing stages to take the third spot.

Hosts Malaysia gave their fans something to cheer about, beating Japan 4-3 in shootout after being tied 1-1 in regulation time.

World number five Pakistan rebounded from a goal down to crush South Africa 6-2 to finish seventh.