Islamabad (Sports Desk): The latest segment of the FIH Hockey Pro League kicked off today in Santiago del Estero, Argentina. The hosts split their success between the men’s and women’s teams.
(Women’s) Argentina 2 (3) – 2 (2) Germany: Facing off for the first time since their quarterfinal clash in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Argentina and Germany found themselves in yet another tightly contested match. Both sides featured a combination of recent Olympians and a sum of athletes making their international debut.
The first shot on target came from Argentina, as the attempt from Zoe Diaz forced Germany’s Nathalie Kubalski to make a save just 3 minutes in. Not long after, an errant pass from an Argentina backline under pressure was intercepted by Germany’s Aina Kresken, who took a backhand shot that was saved by Cristina Cosentino.
Some new additions to the Argentina squad put in work at minute 8. Making her debut, Lourdes Pisthon dribbled through traffic to send the ball to María Larsen, who finished on the reverse to earn her first goal on her first cap. Germany continued to find themselves unable to execute passes around the backfield, as a high press from Argentina’s attacking line forced changes in decision-making. A period of back-and-forth play was followed by a burst of Argentina energy. Catalina Andrade made her presence known with a beautiful move that freed up space to send a pass into the circle, but Julieta Jankunas just missed out.
As momentum built for Las Leonas, a loose ball off the stick of a Germany defender was picked up by Jankunas and sent quickly to Agustina Granatto, whose shot was saved by Kubalski. Argentina still earned a penalty corner on the play – their first of the match – as the initial strike from Valentina Raposo was saved. Argentina finished off the half with a 9-1 shot advantage and a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes into the third quarter, Germany earned their first penalty corner, and the drag flick from Stine Kurz sailed just wide of the cage. A ball up the center led to a second penalty corner chance for Germany at minute 34. A diving play by the Argentina flyer gave Las Leonas a break up the field, as Diaz sent the ball to a wide open Granatto, who settled for a penalty corner. Agustina Gorzalany’s drag flick was blocked, as was another penalty corner chance just a minute later.
Germany got on the board in minute 37 after a hit in from Charlotte Gerstenhöfer found Lynn Krings on the left post. The play retained a fast-paced cadence through the end of the third quarter, and didn't slow down as both teams strived to avoid shootouts in the final frame. It was Argentina with the next goal – Eugenia Trinchinetti sent the ball to Jancounas, who smashed in a one-time to the top of the net. In thrilling fashion, Germany found the equalizer with two minutes left to play. A long ball into the circle found its way to Sara Strauss, whose slap shot sent the ball into the top right corner.
Tied at 2-2, the match headed to shootouts. Argentina was to attack first, as Diaz hit the post and Germany’s Lilly Stoffelsma missed as well. Jankunas put away her attempt for Argentina, while Germany’s Sophia Schwabe made it 1-1. Sofia Cairo put Germany’s goalkeeper on her heels while Strauss used a cheeky backhand lift to make it 2-2 after three rounds. Argentina’s Pisthon and Germany’s Weidemann were both denied to keep it 2-2 after four. Argentina captain Agostina Alonso put the team on her back with a goal, as Las Leonas claimed victory when Germany skipper Lisa Nolte’s goal was called back upon review.
(Men’s) Argentina 1 - 3 England: Argentina came together again for the first time since Paris, facing a skilled England side, whose team also featured a large amount of returning Olympians (Great Britain).
England kicked off the match with the ball, but an early interception gave Argentina possession for the first few minutes. The first touch for England goalkeeper James Mazarelo came in the 6th minute, as a block on Tomas Domene’s cross ball. Back in Argentina’s defensive end in that same minute, England used a video referral to earn the opening penalty corner. The chance was missed after a botched reception at the top of the circle.
After few chances materialized for both sides, possession eventually fell in favor of England. Will Calnan worked to earn a penalty corner chance for England in the final two minutes, and on a retake, Stuart Rushmere placed a drag flick into the bottom left side of the cage. The goal gave England a 1-0 lead over the hosts.
The second quarter saw more of England’s high press, forcing Argentina turnovers. As the energy on the pitch increased, so did the chances – at minute 28 England’s Jack Waller sent in a shot that was turned away by Nehuen Hernando. England found another penalty corner in that 28th minute where a drag flick from Samuel Hooper was denied.
Patience from the Argentina side in the second half paid off with chances up inside their attacking 25, including a scramble in front of the cage that had to be cleared out by England’s Timothy Nurse. More than halfway through the third frame, Los Leones struggled to find an equalizer against the strong England defense. It became an even bigger challenge for Argentina when Sam Ward put away a second goal for England off a penalty corner in 41st minute.
Finally, in minute 48, Argentina broke through. On a nearly impossible angle, Felipe Merlini got a touch on a crossed ball from Lucas Martinez, sending it high into the cage. Now back to a single goal deficient, Argentina had 12 minutes to find the tying goal.
England found themselves with the chance to just about put away the game with a penalty corner at minute 54. The chance looked squandered with a mistrap at the top, but the play developed into a chance for Ward to win back the ball and smash a reverse chip over the head of Hernando. England would win the match 3-1.
