World Champions Argentina have drawn 3-3 (0-2) with Australia in the opening match of women’s 4-Nations-Tournament in Berlin. The second match of the day between host nation Germany and Korea was also tied 3-3 (1-3).
Argentina came back into game after being down 0-2 and 1-3. Australia were the dominating side in the first half and kept Argentina out of their circle. Renee Trost took the lead for the Hockeyroos which was doubled by Georgina Parker two minutes before halftime. Argentine goalkeeper Maria Belen Succi was very unlucky when she lifted her leg as Parker’s shot would come from outside the circle. Pushed forward by their star Luciana Aymar Argentina played stronger and scored their first goal thanks to Agustina Soledad Garcia. Six minutes before the final whistle Australian Ashleigh Nelson made it 3-1 but Rocio Sanchez Moccia replied immediately. Noel Barrionuevo converted a penalty stroke in the last minute and saved at least one point for Las Leonas. Australian team-captain Madonna Blyth said: “It’s not a bad result against the World Champions. We played quite well at times but lost of concentration especially when Argentina scored 3-2 after we scored.”
Germany had great opportunities to score against Korea but left too many of them unused. Natascha Keller’s 1-0 was the only goal for the Germans in the first half. Korea, who were missing their badly injured team-captain Lee Seon Ok, convinced through counter-attacking. Lee was hit by a stick in her face in Wednesday’s test match against Australia and is still in hospital suffering from a mandibular fracture. The Korean staff members said they will try to send Lee back home as soon as possible. The German goalkeeper Kristina Reynolds did not look good when Kim Jong Hee, Cho Eun Ji and Kim Jong Eun succeeded. Germany came back in the second half when Tina Bachmann smashed in two penalty corners.
On Saturday Germany face Australia and Argentina play Korea.
Argentina v Australia 3-3 (0-2)
0-1 21’ Renee Trost
0-2 33’ Georgina Parker
1-2 50’ Agustina Soledad Garcia
1-3 64’ Ashleigh Nelson
2-3 64’ Rocio Sanchez Moccia
3-3 70’ Noel Barrionuevo (PS)
Germany v Korea 3-3 (1-3)
1-0 8’ Natascha Keller (PC)
1-1 12‘ Kim Jong Hee
1-2 15‘ Cho Eun Ji
1-3 21‘ Kim Jong Eun
2-3 39’ Tina Bachmann (PC)
3-3 45’ Tina Bachmann (PC)
Photo courtesy of Florian Luft
