Netherlands snatch last-second draw against Pakistan.

LAHORE -- A last-second goal from Netherland's Mink van der Weerden deprived Pakistan from victory as both teams played a 4-4 draw in the first-leg of their FIH Olympic Qualifier on Saturday at Amstelveen in Holland.

Former Olympic champion Pakistan put on a stunning display against higher-ranked Netherlands in a seesawing battle. Pakistan's prowess from penalty corner situations in the match had been frightening as they converted two goals from direct hit and two from beautiful regulation routines and did not miss any opportunity after they won a penalty corner.

The Green Shirts have done themselves proud but will need to do it all again today (Saturday) as well in what is now a 'winner takes all' contest.

World no 3 Netherlands came into the tie as the favourite, but Pakistan, which has been struggling on and off the field due to dire financial situation, took the lead in the 5th minute on a penalty corner. A fizzing low penalty corner effort from Mubashar Ali rattles the Dutch back-board, giving the visitors the early advantage against the form book.

First quarter ended with Pakistan leading 1-0 and enjoyed some decent possession at the start of the second period, playing with confidence. However, the Dutch looked ever-threatening on the counter-attack and a soon were rewarded with a penalty stroke after Pakistan goalkeeper Ali Amjad fouled Terrance Pieters. Mink van der Weerden made no mistake I slotting home the penalty stroke in the 20th minute to make the things level.

The Netherlands turned the score on its head thanks to two goals in little more than a minute, with Bjorn Kellerman powering into the circle from the left and smashing a stunning backhand effort across the face of goal and just inside the right post in the 21st minute.

But Pakistan upped the tempo of their game and went all cylinders to get another penalty corner in 25th minute. Pakistan successfully appealed to the video umpire for a penalty corner as Netherlands goalkeeper Maurits Visser kicked the ball into the body of Moin Shakeel. The penalty corner was charged down by the body of Sander Baart, who left the field injured as another Pakistan penalty corner was awarded. Pakistan produced a slick penalty corner routine that saw Ghazanfar Ali diving in at the right post to deflect home in the 25th minute as the teams went into the half-time tied 2-2.

The Netherlands made an assured start to the third quarter, and Pakistan were struggling to get the ball out of their...