Argentina’s national teams played their first matches of the 2020 FIH Hockey Pro League on Friday (7 February), but it proved to be a day of mixed fortunes for the hosts in Buenos Aires, with the women beating USA before the men suffered defeat at the hands of Spain.
Las Leonas made a winning start to their campaign with a 6-2 triumph over an improving USA team that certainly gave the hosts plenty to think about. Julieta Jankunas and Delfina Merino put Argentina 2-0 up before USA captain Ashley Hoffman made the score 2-1 at half time. Argentina stepped up their game in the third and fourth quarters, with Agustina Gorzelany, Rosario Luchetti, Rocio Sanchez and Carla Rebecchi all on target, with Taylor West scoring USA’s second of the match.
"We are very happy about winning this match”, said Argentina's Julieta Jankunas, who was named Player of the Match. “Starting like this is always nice, and gives confidence to the team, so we are expecting tomorrow to do the same."
USA captain Ashley Hoffman said: "I am hoping that we as a team can just grow each game and continue to build on what we learned [in the] last game."
More information on the match can be found on the live reporting page by clicking here.
The Argentina versus Spain men’s match was a fascinating encounter that saw the hosts leading on three occasions before eventually suffering a 4-3 defeat thanks to a stunning late strike from Pau Quemada. Maico Casella (2) and Jose Tolini strikes were cancelled out on each occasion by Roc Oliva, Quemada and Vicenc Ruiz before Quemada sealed a Spanish victory in the 59th minute, arrowing a penalty corner drag-flick into the top right corner of the Argentine net.
"I think that the fighting spirit that we had today was really impressive”, said Player of the Match Quemada. “We came back all the time from one goal down, and we came back to 4-3. We keep on pushing, we keep on believing. Our system worked and we got the result, so we need to keep that for tomorrow's game and improve from our frontline to our backline. I think by doing this we can become a little bit stronger than today."
Argentina’s Maico Casella said: “I think we [played] a really good game. We had a lot of chances, but we couldn't score them. We have to work and focus on the next game."
For more information, click here.
The FIH Hockey Pro League continues on Saturday when New Zealand’s national teams entertain Great Britain before a mouth-watering clash between India men and reigning World and European champions Belgium takes place in Bhubaneswar. Argentina’s teams will also be in action, playing the second matches of their respective double-headers against USA women and Spain men.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Hockey Pro League via the event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
FIH Hockey Pro League
Match Day 11 – Friday 07 February 2020
CENARD, Buenos Aires (ARG)
Women’s result: Argentina 6, USA 2 (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Julieta Jankunas (ARG)
Umpires: Catalina Montesino (CHI), Ayanna McClean (TTO) & Federico Garcia (URU - video)
Men’s result: Argentina 3, Spain 4 (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Pau Quemada (ESP)
Umpires: Bruce Bale (ENG), Federico Garcia (URU) & Ayanna McClean (TTO - video)
Upcoming fixtures
Saturday 8 February 2020
Auckland (NZL) – Men: New Zealand v Great Britain (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 1700 (GMT/UTC +13)
Auckland (NZL) – Women: New Zealand v Great Britain (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 1930 (GMT/UTC +13)
Bhubaneswar (IND) – Men: India v Belgium (Match 1 of 2)
Time: 1700 (GMT/UTC +5.30)
Buenos Aires (ARG) – Women: Argentina v USA (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1800 (GMT/UTC -3)
Buenos Aires (ARG) – Men: Argentina v Spain (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 2030 (GMT/UTC -3)
Sunday 9 February 2020
Auckland (NZL) – Men: New Zealand v Great Britain (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1700 (GMT/UTC +13)
Auckland (NZL) – Women: New Zealand v Great Britain (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1930 (GMT/UTC +13)
Bhubaneswar (IND) – Men: India v Belgium (Match 2 of 2)
Time: 1700 (GMT/UTC +5.30)
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