Argentina stayed on course for a semifinal spot in the men’s hockey World Cup with a rousing 3-1 victory over New Zealand at the Kyocera Stadium here on Friday.
A hat-trick of penalty corner conversions by Gonzalo Peillat lifted the Argentine challenge against New Zealand, who until then were heading the Group B table with a maximum of six points from earlier two games.
After a goalless first session, Peillat opened the account with his first penalty corner strike in the 44th minute, only for New Zealand to equalise with a flash strike by Stephen Jenness five minutes later. Peillat got into the scoring act again in the 51st and 63rd minute to give Argentina three points.
Argentina had earlier shocked reigning Olympic champions Germany 1-0 to throw the pool wide open.
Hosts The Netherlands have six points from two successive victories, and later on Friday night play Germany in a crucial game that would have immense bearing on which teams from this group make it to the semifinals.
USA eves spank China 5-0
United States stayed in the race for a semifinal spot in the women’s hockey World Cup with a runaway 5-0 victory over China. United States now have seven points from three matches and are giving a tough contest to defending champions Argentina and Germany in Group B.
Katie O’Donnell scored three goals in the USA rampage. She opened the scoring with an open play strike in the fourth minute.
Michelle Vittese increased the lead in the 10th minute before O’Donnell got back into the goal-scoring act, pumping in successive goals in the 30th and 63rd minutes.