Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup: Olympic champion Argentina survives a scare
Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup: Olympic champion Argentina survives a scare
Olympic champion Argentina survived a scare before their ace penalty striker Peillat Gonzalo thumped in a penalty corner goal to give it 4-3 win over Spain in the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.
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In a game of pulsating hockey, Spain had the misfortune of missing a sitter in the dying seconds of the game when Enrique Gonzalez just failed to connect the chance.
Of 22 games played between two nations, Argentina won on nine occasions and lost eight while remaining five ended in draws. Argentina scored 39 goals in these games and conceded 33. Very close indeed. The last encounter played between the two teams at the same venue in the World Hockey League Finals last year, Spain had emerged victorious 2-1.
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The match started on a blistering pace. Both teams appeared to be in a hurry to score. Spain succeeded first, notching up its first goal of the current World Cup through Enrique Gonzalez. It was a clinical finish to a well-coordinated move.
Not even a minute passed when Argentina restored parity in a similar fashion. This time the clean deflection came from Augustin Mazilli. Before the teams could end the first quarter, Spain exhibited depth in its scoring abilities with a goal in the 13th minute. From the first penalty corner it was Jospeh Romeu who found the target. Stung by the reverse, Olympic champions struck back.In the last 90 seconds of the first quarter, the South Americans scored twice. First it was, Augustin Mazzili who scored his second goal.
Penalty corner specialist and world’s leading striker Peillat Gonzalo put Argentina head with a superb conversion from the first penalty corner earned by his team.
Argentina could not hold back its opponents from restoring parity in the third quarter. In the 35th minute, it was in the 35th minute that Vicenc Ruiz hoisted the third goal and the equalizer for Spain. Also Read: Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup: Hard fought win for Belgium
The match winner for Argentina came in the 49thminute following its third penalty corner. Peillat Gonzalo made full use of the opportunity to drive home with a neat flick.
Man of the match : Augustin Mazzili -PTC NEWS
