Argentina left nothing to chance and chalked up afluent 3-1 win against world champions Germany in the 25th Champions Trophyhockey tournament at Amstelveen.
It was Argentina's first win in two matches, havinglost 5-6 to Pakistan yesterday.
In the only match of the day, Argentina maintained anattacking posture right through and barely allowed Germany, who lost their firstouting 2-3 against India, to go on the offensive.
The intense and ceaseless pressure told on the Germanswho added to their woes by missing a second-half penalty stroke when AlexanderSahmel hit the cross-piece.
The game exemplified modern day hockey with tightman-to-man marking and very little individual play. However, on the fewoccasions when the German defence lapsed, allowing space to the Argentineforwards, the goals materialised.
Advertisement
Jorge Lombi converted a fifth minute penalty corner toput Argentina in front. On change of ends, Mario Almada steamed in from the lefton a Mattias Paredes pass and as he flicked a pass past the advancinggoalkeeper, the ball got deflected into the goal off a defender's stick.
A minute later, Germany, who are fielding a developmentteam in this elite six-nation tournament, had their best scoring chance whenArgentine goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi stick-checked Benjamin Kopp, leading toa penalty stroke.
However, Samhel hit the cross-piece.
The Germans were punished for the lapse when Lombiconverted yet another penalty corner in the 58th minute to put the issue beyonddoubt.
Advertisement
Germany finally managed to pull one back five minutesbefore the hooter as Niklas Meinert found the target from a rebound following aswift right wing move.
Though the world champions intensified the attack inthe last few minutes, the Argentine defenders and the goalkeeper managed tothwart the onslaught.
Germany, who played brilliantly against India, lookedquite lacklustre against Argentina with their forwards lacking sting and thedefenders failing to impress.
Argentina, on the other hand, playing an attacking gamefrom the word go with the strikers, ably supported by the behind players, madecontinuous inroads into the German area and created several opportunities.
PTI
