Argentina

Women's international

By Graciela H. Ortiz

BUENOS AIRES - The women's Argentine team came from behind on Wednesday to defeat South Africa in their first test-match (under new coach Gabriel Minadeo) out of the four that both teams will play here at the Club Ciudad de Buenos Aires.

The visitors surprised a depleted Argentina, which showed some defensive problems in the first half, opening the score in the 16th minute through Marsha Marescia from a corner deflection. But five minutes later, best player of the world Luciana Aymar equalized also from a penalty corner.

However, Argentina had problems to control play as 10 key players on the South American side were absent - Inés Arrondo (injured); keeper Mariela Antoniska (not summoned); Soledad García, Cecilia Rognoni, Mercedes Margalot (all playing in Holland); Mariana González Oliva (in Germany); Ayelén Stepnik, Alejandra Gulla and María Paz Ferrari (in Spain) and María de la Paz Hernández (in Italy).

Then, Minadeo lined up with young players, some of them making their debut with the Argentine jersey.

Meanwhile, the visitors put up a solid midfield line, tightened their mark over Aymar and took advantage of a counter-attack to take a 2-1 lead in the 29th minute by substitute Candice Forword.

Things changed after half-time as Minadeo replaced Romina Vatteone by Amalia Cerutti on the right side of defence, while the Argentine midfielders kept the pace in that zone.

Argentina returned to their usual dominant attitude, controlling the match until the final whistle.

Argentina demonstrated excellent effectivity in penalty corners, scoring four goals from five, in the second half. The other hit South Africa's right post.

Captain Magdalena Aicega equalized, five minutes after the break, with a powerful corner shot.

In the 48th minute, Carla Rebecchi deflected a strong corner hit by Claudia Burkart to put Argentina in the lead.

Aicega sealed the victory with two more goals from corners, in the 51st and 70th minutes.

Both squads will play again on Thursday at the same time and venue.

Argentina: Cattaneo; Vatteone, Bianchini, Aicega, Burkart; Russo, D'Elía, Aymar; Rodríguez, Doreski and Del Carril. Also played: Maloberti, Rebecchi, Nieruczkow, Cerutti and Salmeri. Coach: Gabriel Minadeo.

South Africa: Rix; Hosking, Kotze, Carlisle, van Jaarsveld; Boezaart, Hector, Bright; Marescia; Wilson and Wehmeyer. Also played: Forword, Taylor, Dorothy and Pholo. Coach: Jenny King.

Umpires: Corrine Cornelius (South Africa) and Soledad Iparraguirre (Argentina).

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