Argentina remain unbeaten in World Cup

ROSARIO: With England and Argentina in the semi-finals and the result irrelevant, England turned on their best performance of the tournament but still lost 2-0 to Argentina in the last Pool B match at the women’s hockey World Cup.

Noel Barrionuevo opened the scoring in the first half with a trade-mark penalty corner flick before Daniela Sruoga scored a reverse stick goal from a tight angle on the left of the circle. This was Argentina’s fifth victory in succession to seal the top spot in Pool B.

Meanwhile, China won 6-0 against Spain and South Korea defeated South Africa 5-3.

In China’s match against Spain, Li Hongxia fired in a back-stick goal from the top of the circle early in the match and although Spain pressured China’s midfield in the first half, they failed to convert any of the four first half penalty corners.

China skipper Fu Baorong created a goal from a midfield turnover to drive into the circle and shoot between the pads of Spain goalkeeper Maria Lopez de Eguilaz.

Spain lost heart and structure as China won four penalty corners and Ma Yibo converted all four for her first goals of the tournament. The result moves China up to third in the league table. For Spain, the crushing defeat means that they finish bottom of Pool B.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2010.