AMSTERDAM, 19 August 2003 — Argentina defeated Germany 3-1 in the only match of the men’s Champions Trophy field hockey tournament here yesterday.
The result could have been 2-2 had Alexander Sahmel converted a penalty stroke and had Jan-Marco Montag not conceded an own-goal.
Two penalty corner conversions by Argentina’s seasoned flicker Jorge Lombi and Mario Almada’s conversion of his run along the left, with Montag’s help, had Argentina in command on the scoreboard throughout.
Argentina found their rhythm and confidence early and converted their chances while Germany’s young team could only convert one of the many opportunities they had when Niklas Meinert knocked in a bobbling rebound off the pads of Pablo Moreira late in the match.
“Unlike Sunday’s match against Pakistan we were able to control 70 percent of the game,” said Argentina’s coach Jorge Ruiz. “Three months ago we knew we would have to play the Pan-American tournament and the Champions Trophy together and we have prepared for it.
Germany’s coach, Bernhard Peters, was disappointed with the performance of some of his players.
Australian Stun World Cup Champions
World Cup champions Argentina suffered a surprise 3-0 defeat to Australia in the first match of the women’s 4-Nations Cup tournament here yesterday.
Argentina came to Amsterdam with only one day at home after winning the Pan-American hockey tournament in the Dominican Republic to qualify for the Athens Olympics. Australia for their part have seen off China and Spain twice in Europe in the past fortnight.
