Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-France wrapped a gruelling but rewarding Pro League series in Potchestfstroom with a 2-1 win over South Africa. South African 19-year-old Mustapha Cassiem scored an absolute rocket of a goal in the first quarter to leave France chasing but a Blaise Rogeau redirection and a Victor Charlet penalty stroke sealed France’s third win of their series in South Africa.
Over in Argentina, the Leones put on another show in front of a full crowd to earn a 3-1 win over England. Lucas Martinez scored two goals, while Player of the Match Lucas Toscani scored the game’s opener. England’s Nicholas Bandurak scored on a penalty corner to deny Argentina the shutout.
Argentina’s women’s side went on a scoring frenzy as five different scorers got on the board in a 5-2 win over England. The Leonas put on a skill showcase with some fantastic goals and incredible display of individual stick skills. Elena Rayer and Holly Hunt scored late in the game to finally reward England for their efforts.
South Africa v France (men) – Potchestfstroom, University of North West (RSA)
Victor Charlet was on the start and end of France’s second goal as his long ball down the right was further deflected on to a streaking Timothée Clément. Clément took the right baseline but weathered a tough stick foul from Nduduzo Lembethe and a penalty stroke was awarded. Charlet finished stick side just over the back board for the 2-1 France lead.
Late in the third quarter France were again unsuccessful from the penalty corner unit as Spooner cleared the ball of the line as France looked for an option from the left side. Charlet’s goal was enough for France to hang on and grab another three points over South Africa.
Following the game Viktor Lockwood was named Player of the Match and commented: ‘We are very, very exhausted – eight games in 12 days I think. We used up so much energy in the game so we had a difficult game but before the game we said we just need to win to finish the competition (in South Africa). So, we are happy and we can have some rest now.’
Argentina v England (men & women) – Cenard, Buenos Aires (ARG)
Back at the Cenard, the Argentina men again dazzled the home crowd with some spectacular play to seal a 3-1 win over England. Lucas Toscani scored the game’s opening goal and was named Player of the Match, while Lucas Martinez added two more to Argentina’s total. England’s lone goal came from a penalty corner flick at the hands of Nicholas Bandurak.
Both teams traded chances in the first quarter but England struggled to get close enough to really test Argentina keeper Tomas Santiago. An errant clear from England allowed Martinez to set up Nicolas Keenan from close range but the upright shot went just wide of the England goal mouth. Argentina continued to create chaos for England. In the ninth minute Nicolas Cicileo sent a fantastically timed cross to Martinez who beat England’s Nicholas Park and finished on the back hand for a 1-0 Argentina lead.
The third quarter was all credit to England who pressed hard but really struggled to put shots on net. Finally on the penalty corner Bandurak was able to flick around Habif and beat Santiago glove side high to get England within one. England were caught on their heels and a monster aerial sailed over England’s last player Timothy Nurse. Martinez was there to collect the bouncing ball and smash it into the empty net to give Argentina the 3-1 lead and final score.
Argentina went to work late in the second quarter with two penalty corner goals just two minutes apart. Costa trapped the ball upright off the injection and paced a pass in that took a deflection from Martina Triñanes for the 2-0 lead. Argentina’s third goal came after England keeper Amy Tennant left a soft rebound following a penalty corner flick. Eugenia Trinchinetti buried it on a reverse stick sweep from her knees for the 3-0 Argentina lead heading into half time.
Victoria Granatto made it 4-0 in the third quarter as she displayed some phenomenal stick skills up the right side only to be the eventual beneficiary of a bouncing cross. A back-hand finish from close range beat a frozen Tennant in the England goal.
FIH Pro League (Potchestfstroom, University of North West South Africa)
Result: Men’s Match 23
South Africa 1, France 2
Player of the Match: Viktor Lockwood (FRA)
Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA), Annelize Rostron (RSA-video)
Cenard, Buenos Aires (ARG)
Result: Men’s Match 22
Argentina 3, England 1
Player of the Match: Lucas Toscani (ARG)
Umpires: Diego Barbas (ARG), German Montes de Oca (ARG), Catalina Montesino (CHI-video)
Result: Women’s Match 13
Argentina 5, England 2
Player of the Match: Eugenia Trinchinetti (ARG)
Umpires: Irene Presenqui (ARG), Catalina Montesino (CHI), German Montes de Oca (ARG-video).
