The ‘Red Sticks’ give up the key match with Argentina
Spain reacts late and will go to the World Cup crosses the long way
MADRID, 3 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish women’s field hockey team lost (1-4) this Sunday against Argentina in their second match in the World Cup that is being played at the Olympic Stadium in Terrassa, a defeat that condemns them to the long road of crosses.
Spain, who beat Canada in the opening match of ‘their’ tournament (4-1), was quite powerless against the best team in the world. Argentina demanded a lot from the host until the goals came in the second half, despite the final Spanish reaction.
Those of Adrian Lock pulled from a great defense and the interventions of Melanie García and more than one save under the sticks in the first quarter. A very different scenario from Friday, but the ‘Red Sticks’, with a very renewed team compared to 2021, knew that they had to suffer against a strong rival.
The physique of the ‘Leonas’ did not go down, with Spain very closed in their field despite having their option at the beginning of the second quarter. Succi also delivered for the Americans under the sticks, although Lock’s kept that important 0-0 at halftime.
The hosts had their option in the third quarter, but in one minute the Spanish resistance collapsed, with goals from Gorzelany Agustina and Valentina, from penalty strokes and penalty corners. The albiceleste grew seeing the goals enter and Agustina made it 0-3 shortly after.
The ‘Red Sticks’ cut through a ‘penalty-corner’ by Xantal Giné that Begoña García sent to the net. Spain was leaving with the reaction at least, since Belén Iglesias had the 2-3, but the final blow was Argentine with Granatto in the last minute.
The hosts will have to go the round of 16 route to the crossroads and in their ambition to go far, closing out the group stage first against Korea on Thursday. Argentina will be the leader of Group C and will go straight to the quarterfinals.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: SPAIN, 1 – ARGENTINA, 4. (0-0, at halftime).
–EQUIPMENT.
SPAIN: Melanie García (P), Candela Mejías, María López, Xantal Giné, Laura Barrios, Beatriz Pérez, Gerogina Oliva, Lucía Jiménez, Sara Barrios, Torres-Quevedo, Belén Iglesias, Marta Segu, Amundson, Maialen García, Clara Ycart, Begoña García, Laia Vidosa and Jana Martínez (P).
ARGENTINA: Succi (P), Toccalino, Costa, Gorzelany, Trinchinetti, Moccia, Alonso, Cedars, Albertarrio, Maria Jose Granatto, Victoria Granatto, Raposo, Forcheiro, Sauze, Jankunas, Marucci, Thome, Barberi (P).
–GOALS.
0 – 1, at least 38, Agustin’s Gorzelany.
0 – 2, min.39, Raposo Valentina.
0 – 3, min 43, Agustin’s Gorzelany.
1 – 3, min.50, Begoña García.
1 – 4, min.59, Granatto.
–REFEREES: Sarah Wilson and Catalina Montesino.
–FIELD: Terrassa Olympic Stadium.