Thursday, March 28, 2024

Hockey-Germany reaches semis with 3-1 win over Argentina

Hockey-Germany reaches semis with 3-1 win over Argentina
August 1, 2021 Web Desk

TOKYO (Reuters) - Germany became the first country to reach the semi-finals in the men's hockey tournament after a smooth 3-1 win over Olympic champions Argentina in sauna-like conditions at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday.

Germany opened the score in the 19th minute when defender Lukas Windfeder shot a penalty corner low and hard at the left side of the goal, leaving Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi no chance to stop the ball.

Ten minutes into the second half, the German side added to their advantage after playing out another penalty corner in a beautiful variation which ended with Timm Herzbruch deflecting a low pass from captain Tobias Hauke into the goal.

By then, the Germans had little left to fear from the Argentineans.

"It's hot weather and hot-minded Argentina and we just want to keep it cool and play our German style and I think we did exactly that," said forward Christoph Ruhr.

"We had the game in our hands 60 minutes. A very mature play by us."

Windfeder scored another goal, again through a penalty corner, in the 48th minute, effectively securing Germany's spot in the semi-finals and leaving Argentina with a painful loss.

With eight minutes left to go, Maico Casella Schuth scored off a penalty corner for Argentina, but they were not able to add to their score.

Officials doubled the usual two-minute between quarters to allow players to cool down from the heat at the main pitch of the Oi Hockey Stadium, which was sprayed with water during the half-time break to keep play fast and smooth.

The win gave Germany revenge on Argentina after being knocked out by them in the semi-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympics, when the Germans had to settle for bronze.

Argentina's lineup in Tokyo still contained many of the names that brought the country their first Olympic gold medal in hockey in 2016: Pedro Ibarra, Agustin Mazzilli, Matias Rey and 42-year-old goalie Vivaldi.

Germany will play their semi-finals on Tuesday against the winner of the clash between Australia and the Netherlands. The Kookaburras led that match 1-0 at halftime.