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Argentina win stunning Semi Final against Netherlands

2012-02-05 09:02:00

Argentina defeated the Netherlands 2-0 on penalties in an action packed Semi Final with a tremendous finish at the Argentina FIH Champions Trophy held in Rosario. Noel Barrionuevo converted a penalty stroke 86 seconds before the end of regulation time to salvage extra-time for her team.

Before this thrilling encounter Great Britain have celebrated a deserved 2-0 win against Germany and now play off in a Champions Trophy final for the first time in history.

Full reports on all the matches can be found below, with extensive tournament information available by clicking here.

Argentina win stunning Semi Final against Netherlands
2nd Semi Final – NED 2-2 (0-2 PSO) ARG

The encounter between the two hockey giants from the Netherlands and Argentina started off in a great atmosphere. The Olympic Champions and current Champions Trophy title holders from the Netherlands had the better start into this promising match penetrating the circle twice before the World Champions from Argentina came up dangerously in the Dutch circle for the first time. Their first attack led to the 1-0 when Argentina’s superstar Luciana Aymar won possession and passed the ball to Maria Josefina Srouga (14’) who deflected this brilliant pass into the goal.

The Argentine happiness did not last long as the Netherlands won their first penalty corner a few minutes later after a stick-tackle against Margot van Geffen. Maartje Paumen’s drag-flick was saved by the Argentine goalkeeper Belen Succi. The Netherlands were sure the ball had touched an Argentine defender’s foot and took their team-referral. The video umpire confirmed their assumption and they won another penalty corner. This time Paumen (19’), the FIH Player of the Year 2011, left Succi no chance and netted her 7th goal against Argentina in Champions Trophy history.

Afterwards the World Champions from Argentina created some opportunities but they could not take advantage. The Netherlands also failed to take the lead after a penalty corner variation involving Paumen and Eva de Goede did not succeed. The match went into half time with a tied score 1-1.

Not even two minutes have been played in the second half when Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel (37’) scored out of the blue. Afterwards the Dutch supporters were subdued for a short time as keyplayer Paumen has slipped over a stick and fell. Lucky for the Dutch, she did not pick up any injury in this situation.

Argentina failed to equalise when Noel Barrionuevo’s attempt from a penalty corner missed its target. From now Argentina tried to pressure the Netherlands who defended strongly and stuck together as a team especially when Paumen was sent off with a green card. Argentina also had to miss their star player Aymar , who received a yellow card after she had played the ball away to stop a Dutch free-hit. In spite of missing Aymar, they won their third penalty corner taken by Barrionuevo. This brought the equaliser but the Dutch used their team referral again. They were convinced that obstruction had occurred in the circle. Again, their assumption was confirmed by the video umpire. The score stayed at 2-1.

Pushed forward by their big home crowd Aymar, who was back on the field, won another penalty corner after a stick-tackle from Willemijn Bos. This time Barrionuevo’s attempt was too high. Argentina substituted their goalkeeper for the last minutes of the game and attacked strongly. 86 seconds before the end of the match they won a penalty stroke after Paumen stopped an attack in the circle. The Olympic Champions took their team referral again but lost it this time as the decision penalty stroke was confirmed. Barrionuevo took responsibility and brought her team into extra-time. Her shot went into the bottom left corner. Neither Netherlands nor Argentina have ever conceded a goal in extra-time in Champions Trophy competition.

In extra-time Argentina were close to scoring from a penalty corner but the Dutch goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek saved the shot and rebound. The talented Dutch goalie produced another terrific save afterwards clearing with her glove and avoiding the Argentine Golden Goal. The Netherlands failed to score the Golden Goal when their penalty corner was taken right on time.

The match went into a penalty shoot-out and Argentina were the convincing winners scoring twice thanks to Rocio Sanchez Moccia and Luciana Aymar. It is the sixth year in succession that Argentina play off in a Champions Trophy final.

For more information on NED v ARG click here.

Great Britain qualify for Sunday’s final
1st Semi Final – GBR 2-0 GER

The 4th Champions Trophy encounter between Great Britain and Germany took place under great heat in Rosario. Because temperature got higher than 36 degrees Celsius in the team bench area the first half was interrupted for two minutes to give the players an opportunity to refresh. The 36 degree temperature is being used as it is less than normal body heat and as such, any higher temperature may compromise the body’s ability to cool.

The crowd did not witness high pace during the first half as the heat was a real challenge for everybody on the pitch. However, Alex Danson (4’) created the first promising opportunity in this match when she penetrated the circle from the left but German goalkeeper Yvonne Frank was well positioned to make the save. Soon after Great Britain’s Georgie Twigg fell heavily over German defender Mandy Haase’s stick and needed some medical treatment but she was back on the field later on.

Although Great Britain stayed the dominant side, German key players Haase, team-captain Fanny Rinne, Julia Müller and Nina Hasselmann marshalled the defence to stay strong. After Danson (12’) was tackled by Rinne and Hasselmann Great Britain won their first penalty corner. Frank was able to save Kate Walsh’s attempt but was defeated by Sarah Thomas (13’) who converted the rebound. Great Britain had a few more promising attacks in the first half while Germany struggled to penetrate the British circle. The 1-0 halftime lead gave Great Britain confidence as they were unbeaten in nine Champions Trophy matches in which they have scored the opening goal, recording eight wins and one draw.

As soon as the second half had started injector Ashleigh Ball (39’) doubled the lead after she deflected the ball into the goal at Great Britain’s second penalty corner. Afterwards goalkeeper Frank kept Germany in the game making some terrific saves. Great Britain were short in numbers after the umpires had awarded a yellow card to Helen Richardson. This allowed Germany a little more space to attack, however, Great Britain’s defence was very organised and Germany could not take advantage. They substituted their goalkeeper with six minutes to go but the first defeat against Great Britain in Champions Trophy history could not be avoided. The British goalkeeper Beth Storry had kept a clean sheet for the second time in this competition.

All-time record player Natascha Keller was honored by FIH president Leandro Negre before the match. The 34 year-old is the first woman who has ever played more than 400 international matches (including indoor appearances).

For more information on GBR v GER click here.

Flash quotes on Day 6

Michael Behrmann (GER Coach)
“It was an intensive match, really hard. We couldn’t create many options to score. Great Britain took advantage of our mistakes and could score. Anyway, I’m happy with the team performance.”

Fanny Rinne (GER Team –Captain)
“We’ve made many mistakes. The conditions were hard. We didn’t have many chances.”

Danny Kerry (GBR Coach)

“In the first half we created many options and could score, that made the difference. We knew that in the second half, they will attack and go for us, and we were ready for it. But we could stop them and control the match. I’m in this team since 2004 and I’m proud of these girls. We went through many good and bad things together.”

Kate Walsh (GBR Team-Captain)

“We knew it’ll be a hard match. And I’m proud of our team."

Maartje Paumen (NED Team-Captain)

“It was a really good game. Maybe the best we‘ve played in this tournament. I think we lost the game in the last two minutes.”

Max Caldas (NED Coach)

“I think we played a good game although we wasted many opportunities. If you waste these opportunities you lose the match. And this is what happened to us today. We should have won the game when we lead 2-1.”

Carlos Retegui (ARG Coach)

“I want to thank all players for this match. It was a great one. The players have performed very well.”

Luciana Aymar (ARG Team-Captain)
“Both teams played very well. I think today’s match was won by the intelligence. Both teams had moments where they controlled the match.”

Belen Succi (ARG goalkeeper)
“First of all I would like to congratulate Maartje Paumen on her award yesterday. I’m really happy with today’s match. This match had everything which is needed in a big final.”

Source FIH