As qualification matches draw nearer we see Argentina grab another three points after a 3-1 victory over New Zealand. A trio of drag flicks from Gonzalo Peillat lifted the Pan American champs. Still to play are Korea and South Africa (17:30 CET), as well as Germany and Netherlansd (19:45 CET).
MEN Pool B: New Zealand v Argentina 1-3 (0-0)
A second half hat trick from Gonzalo Peillat gave Argentina victory over New Zealand in a game that was notable for the high standard of defence and possessive play. The result leaves Argentina joint top of the pool with the Netherlands and Peillat as joint top scorer with Belgium's Tom Boon.
Argentina look like a different side from the team that hassled and harried Germany just a few days ago. A disciplined press, composure both in attack and defence, patient moving of the ball around the pitch – in the first half both teams played a similar and evenly-matched game. Even without goals in the first 35 minutes, this was a game that had the hockey aficionado glued to the action.
MEN Pool B: Korea v South Africa 0-0 (0-0)
A collection of world class saves from Korea shot-stopper Lee Myungho denied 11th ranked South Africa a famous victory over world number 7 Korea, as the two Pool B rivals played out a 0-0 draw. Myungho made a number of terrific blocks in the second half to spare the blushes of the Asian Champions, who were second best to the Champions of Africa for much of the second half. The result gave both teams their first point of the tournament, although served to dramatically reduce the chances of either side reaching the semi-final stages.
MEN Pool B: Germany v Netherlands 0-1 (0-1)
It was always going to be a cracker of a game when the two giant of European hockey met in the final game of the day at the Kyocera Stadium. Germany versus the Netherlands had the prospect of a fiercely contested and high quality match written all over it and it didn't disappoint. The fact that a first half goal, scored by Jeroen Hertzberger (19'), was the only time the ball found the back of the net did nothing to diminish the entertainment value of this match.
