Lagatar24 desk
New Delhi, Jan 13: Argentina defeated South Africa in the opening game of the FIH Odisha Men’s Hockey World Cup at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
Despite dominating the entire game, Argentina only managed to score one goal against lacklustre South Africa. They received up to six penalty corners, but they did not make use of the chances. Maico Casella scored the lone field goal in the 43rd minute.
South Africa also had three chances to score from penalty corners, but they were unsuccessful due to the opposition’s tenacious defence.
Despite being fiercely contested, there were no goals in the first quarter. Few chances were produced by both teams. They did not, however, take advantage of those.
Argentina was at their most aggressive to begin the second quarter. In the 18th minute, they were awarded two penalty corners. But they failed to take advantage of each of those opportunities. In the following minute, they obtained their third penalty corner by continuing to act aggressively.
Gowan Jones of South Africa’s goalkeeping unit once more defended like a rock to thwart the opportunity. Despite Argentina’s Argentina continued their momentum into the second half and made their intentions quite apparent. In the 34th minute, they received their fourth penalty corner. Jones was immovable once more, blocking their chance to score like the Rock of Gibraltar.
Five minutes later, South Africa finally exhibited some resiliency and earned their first opportunity from a penalty corner. However, Argentina’s defenders stepped up to the plate to stop any harm. Argentina seized the opposition’s assault and continued their upsurge. With a spectacular shot from the left wing in the 43rd minute, Maico Casella gave them the lead.
In the 44th minute, they had another chance in the shape of their fourth penalty corner, but they missed it. Argentina won by a score of 1-0 after the third period.
South Africa made every effort to get back into the game at the start of the fourth and final quarter, earning back-to-back penalty corners in the 51st minute, but they were unable to overcome Argentina’s staunch defence.
In the 54th minute, Argentina made another comeback and was awarded two penalty corners, but they were unable to score on either occasion. With their third penalty corner two minutes later, South Africa had another opportunity, but it was in vain. Although there was no scoring in the fourth quarter, Argentina decided the outcome of the game.
