MJWC: Argentina Favourites But Australia Vow Tough Fight
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| Argentina |
July 9, 2005
Bernama
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R. Lakshimi Devi
Argentina's unbeaten run in the Eighth Junior World Cup Hockey have put them as the favourites to win the title when they take on Australia in Sunday's final.
However, Australian skipper Mark Knowles vowed to give their opponents a run for their money and said although they lost 1-2 to Argentina earlier in the tournament, it wouls be a different ball game in the final.
"Argentina have showed they have have a strong team that can play well and structured and with a lot of passion.
"But we will give it all. We know what we are heading for and will give our best to get the title," he said.
Australia's passage to the final was not easy as India gave them a hard time in yesterday's semifinals and had to bounce back from two goals down to win 3-2.
"We probably played the worst half of the tournament yesterday. Nothing worked. We could not keep the ball but still we kept faith.
"We came back in the second half. This is the best victory up to now, because coming back from trailing 0-2 in the semifinal does not happen very often," said Knowles.
Just like Australia, Argentina also came from behind to hold off a persistent Spain yesterday to claim a 2-1 victory in the semifinal to march into the final.
Sunday's final will be the second appearance for both finalists Argentina and Australia in the Junior World Cup Hockey history.
Australia were the champions in 1997 when they edged India 3-2 while for Argentina, they took the silver in 2001, going down 1-6 to India.
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