WPAC: Argentina, USA and Uruguay in semifinals
 |
| Pan American Hockey Federation |
April 24, 2004
Pan-American Hockey Federation
> Page Views 2939
By Graciela H. Ortiz
PAHF Media Officer
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - The women's Argentine team gave an exhibition, delighting the crowd on the second day of the second Pan-American Cup at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex here.
The defending titlists trounced South American rivals Chile 11-0, on Thursday night, to lead their Pool A with full points after two matches and are already qualified for the semifinals.
Canada and Chile are second with three points, while the Netherlands Antilles close the standings without points. The second semifinal place will be decided on Saturday when the Canadians play Chile.
In the pool B, the leaders are the United States with six points as Uruguay, while Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago have no points.
The Argentines sparkled, specially Luciana Aymar and Ayelén Stepnik in midfield and Vanina Oneto and Alejandra Gulla in attack. But in fact, the Argentine side played as a well-oiled machine.
Argentina and Chile played an accurate and dynamic first half with the world champions setting the pace.
Argentina opened the score early, through Soledad García, in the fourth minute.
Chile defended well while their keeper Constanza Abud made some fine saves.
But Argentina controlled the midfield led by skillful Aymar well supported by Stepnik and Mariné Russo.
Vanina Oneto celebrated her return to the field - she did not play the first match due to a strain in both calves - with a wonderful goal, in the 23rd minute, after dribbling past some rivals inside the circle.
Two minutes later, Alejandra Gulla deflected a corner dragged shot by Mercedes Margalot to put Argentina 3-0 ahead.
Meanwhile, Chile tried to take advantage of counter-attacks producing only one through Camila Infante, whose strong shot was saved by Argentine goalie Angela Cattáneo.
But Argentina increased their rhythm and Chile could not prevent two more goals through Natalí Doreski, in the 31st minute, and Oneto again, who deflected a wonderful reverse shot by Inés Arrondo, a minute from half-time.
Aymar was unstoppable after the break, while Gulla became a real nightmare for the Chilean back row.
Argentina fully dominated the second half with captain Magdalena Aicega moving from defence feeding the midfield and attack.
Oneto scored the half-dozen for Argentina, in the 43rd minute, while Gulla netted a hat-trick in eight minutes (44th, 46th and 52nd).
Marina Di Giácomo put Argentina 10-0 ahead from a corner dragged shot, in the 64th minute, while Aymar sealed her brilliant performance with a wonderful goal from a reverse stick shot, four minutes before the final whistle.
Friday is a rest day. On Saturday The Lionesses will clash against the Netherlands Antilles.
Argentina: Cattáneo; Ferrari, Burkart, Aicega, Margalot; Stepnik, González Oliva, Aymar; Gulla, García and Arrondo. Also played: Russo, Hernández, Oneto, Di Giácomo and Doreski. Coach: Sergio Vigil.
Chile: Abud; Debesa, Martín, Wenz, Albertz; Villagra, Walbaum, Wilson; García, P. Infante and Daniela Infante. Also played: Fernández, Matus, Wagner, Denise Infante and C. Infante. Coach: Luis Ciancia.
Umpires: Renate Peters (Germany)and Keely Dunn(Canada).
Booking - Green card: 49m, P. Infante (Ch).
URUGUAY WIN AGAIN
In a mediocre and lacklustre match, Uruguay defeated Trinidad & Tobago 1-0 in the first match of the day.
Though Trinidad pressed Uruguay hard from the very start producing the best goal options, the South Americans opened the score, in the 21st minute, through oportunistic Virginia Casabó, who connected a right cross from Lorena Margni.
Trinidad reacted, while Uruguay lost their way playing in retreatment, specially when they missed defender Patricia Bueno - 10 minutes before half-time - who was shown the yellow card.
The second half was boring with plenty of imprecisions.
Trinidad pushed Uruguay looking for the equalizer but were inaccurate in attack, while the Pan-American bronze medallists struggled against their own
lack of ideas.
A tie would have been a fair result.
USA WIN AGAIN
The United States had it easy again, at least in the first half, by defeating hosts Barbados 7-1 in the second match of the day.
However, Barbados showed great fighting spirit being rewarded with a goal, in the 57th minute, through Tricia-Ann Greaves from a short corner.
The United States goals were netted by Tracey Fuchs, in the ninth and 30th minutes; Kristen McCann, in the fourth minute; Angela Loy (seventh minute); Kate Barber, in the 14th minute; Tamika Smith (25th) and Keli Smith, in the 43rd.
The home team had posted a warning for the US, three minutes earlier, when a rush from Patrina Brathwaite finished in a powerful diverted shot.
Barbados improved their marking and tactic after half-time to make things difficult for the States, who showed some problems in defence and midfield.
However, the North Americans supremacy was undisputable.
CANADA OVERWHELM NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Canada demolished the Netherlands Antilles 8-0 to win their first three points of the tournament.
The North Americans set the pace from start to finish to obtain an easy and deserved victory.
The Canadian goals were netted by Stephanie Jameson, in the second and 49th minute; Robin Leslie (30th and 42nd minutes); Lauren McLean (ninth minute); Andrea Rushton (12th); Kristen Tauton (23rd) and Stephanie Hume, in the 56th minute.
Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.
|
