World champions Argentina led the way yesterday as the big four of women’s field hockey moved toward an expected showdown in the Olympic semifinals here.
Argentina, the Netherlands and China recorded second successive wins even as defending champions Australia bounced back after a shock defeat in their first match to overcome South Africa 3-0.
Argentina, looking to convert their Sydney Olympics silver into gold after lifting the 2002 World Cup, squeezed out a 3-1 win over Japan in Group A.
China, placed in the same group and hoping to make their first-ever appearance in the Olympic semifinals, scored once in each half to defeat unfancied New Zealand 2-0.
The Dutch followed their 6-2 rout of South Africa with a 3-2 win over South Korea with Macha van der Vaart scoring two goals. Australia’s Hockeyroos, stung by the 2-1 upset by Germany on Saturday, were not convincing against the South Africans even though they earned their first full points in Group B.
The Aussies, hoping to win a third successive Olympic gold, were distinctly lucky that their rivals did not convert any of the seven penalty corners they earned.
The Hockeyroos were kept scoreless till the 28th minute when they shot in twice in the space of six minutes through Julie Towers and Suzie Faulkner to lead 2-0 at half-time.
South Africa’s Kerry Bee missed an open goal midway through the second session, before Peta Gallagher sealed Australia’s win with the third goal in the 59th minute.
Australian coach David Bell admitted the sketchy display by the champions was a worry. “It was evident to all that we were not at our best, but gaining three full points was vital,” he said. “Hopefully we can win our remaining league games to get to the semi-finals. That is our first aim.”
Australia won golds at the Atlanta Games in 1996 and at home in Sydney four years later under their former coach Ric Charlesworth.
But they finished fourth at the 2002 World Cup, won by Argentina, after the retirement of a few top stars forced them to rebuild a younger team. Argentina, held 1-1 by Japan till half-time, pumped in two more goals after the break and were denied a few more by rival goalkeeper Rie Tezazono.
Tezazono dived around to thwart the Argentine forwards in the last 15 minutes, but could not prevent her team’s second successive loss after the 3-0 defeat to Asian rivals China on Saturday.
The early 8.30 a.m. start appeared to tell on the Argentines. “We were a bit slow at the start and that is not surprising,” said goal-scorer Marina Di Giacomo. “We are after all Argentines, we do not like to wake up early.”
China, meanwhile, gave another example of their growing confidence with an easy win over New Zealand through goals by Ma Yibo and Tang Chunling.
