Argentina 3 defeated Korea 2
Goals: ARG – Augustina Soledad Garcia FG 9m FG 63m, Magdalena Aicega PC 48m; KOR – Eun Sil Kim PC 18m, Ko Woon Og FG 32m
Argentina have given themselves a chance of playing in Sunday’s final, coming from behind to beat a desperately unlucky Korean side 3-2, in the first match on Day 5 of the Samsung Champions Trophy.
Argentina will now have to wait to know their fate, with the final round robin match between Australia and the Netherlands the decisive match in deciding tomorrow’s finalists.
If the Netherlands win, Argentina will qualify and play the Dutch in the final. Any other result will see Australia take on the Dutch tomorrow.
Argentina had taken an early lead against Korea, with Augustina Soledad Garcia smashing in a reverse stick shot. The lead did not last until the break though, with Korea scoring twice, once from a penalty corner and once from field play.
Argentina, who had to win to be a chance, scored the two required goals in the second half, with Garcia’s second reverse stick shot for the match giving Argentina the lead with seven minutes remaining.
Korea could have easily ended Argentina’s hopes though, hitting the post in the 69th minute, before having a shot brilliantly saved in the 70th.
Stats
Goal Shots
ARG 16; KOR 12
Penalty Corners
ARG 5; KOR 6
Circle Penetrations
ARG 27; KOR 23
China 1 defeated Germany 0
Goals: CHN – Yibo Ma PC 34m
China has ensured they will play-off for the bronze medal tomorrow after beating Germany 1-0.
The loss for Germany, their fourth for the week, means they take on Korea tomorrow in the fifth/sixth play-off, with the loser relegated out of the 2006 Champions Trophy.
It is a disappointing position for the Germans to be in, especially when considering they played in last years Champions Trophy final and they are the Olympic champions.
China was by far the better team throughout this match though, with a massive 33 circle penetrations to Germany’s measly 13.
The only goal in the very scrappy match was scored just before half time from a penalty corner, courtesy of a well taken drag flick by Yibo Ma.
Stats
Goal Shots
CHN 11; GER 3
Penalty Corners
CHN 3; GER 1
Circle Penetrations
CHN 33; GER 13
Australia 3 defeated Netherlands 1
Goals: AUS – Madonna Blyth FG 11m, Rebecca Sanders FG 55m, Angie Skirving PC 63m; NED – Sylvia Karres FG 13m
Australia have put on their best performance of the week to upset the Netherlands 3-1, ensuring the two teams meet again, same time, same place, in tomorrow’s gold medal match.
While the Netherlands would be disappointed with losing their first match of the tournament, they still have tomorrow’s final to look forward to, and will be hoping playmaker Fatima Moreira De Melo will be able to return from a knee injury incurred earlier in the week.
Australia looked eager from the outset in front of a packed home crowd, and took the lead through Madonna Blyth in the 11th minute, only to have the lead cancelled out almost immediately by Sylvia Karres.
The Australians, who at times this week have struggled in attack, put on a sound second half performance to cement their place in the gold medal match and once again were measly at the back, having only allowed two goals against in five matches.
Rebecca Sanders put the Australian’s back in front midway through the second half, and then Angie Skirving converted a penalty corner with a drag flick late in the match to seal the result.
The result would have devastated the Argentineans, who are relegated to third place on goal difference behind the Dutch.
Stats
Goal Shots
AUS 8; NED 5
Penalty Corners
AUS 4; NED 3
Circle Penetrations
AUS16; NED 22
