A capacity crowd at the Wagener Stadium got value for money as the Netherlands and Argentina battled it out in their fourth match of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Thursday, August 21. Six goals were shared in the first half, but in the end it was the hosts and defending champions who emerged 6-3 winners.
The handsome triumph gave Holland their third victory from four matches and assured them of a place in Sunday's final.
Argentina have six points and a match in hand against Australia. But the chances of both Australia and Argentina making it to the final hinge on the match between India and Pakistan. If Pakistan win Friday's match, they will join the Netherlands in the final.
Matias Paredes put Argentina ahead in the seventh minute, but Ronald Brouwer restored parity for the Dutch with a stiff shot past goalkeeper Pablo Moreira following a quick offensive.
The Dutch then earned their first penalty corner in the 18th minute and Taeke Taekema flicked the ball past Moreira to give his side the lead.
But in the 27th minute the South Americans forced their first penalty corner and their specialist, Jorge Lombi, was on target to make it 2-2.
Matthijs Brouwer regained the lead for Holland, scoring from a scrimmage two minutes later before Lombi could score again three minutes from the breather from Argentina's second corner.
With six goals coming in the first period, the stage was set for a battle royal in the second session. But nine minutes into the half, Karel Klaver scored a brilliant goal, beating three defenders and slipping the ball under a sliding Moreira.
Paredes had a chance to put the Argentines on level terms again soon after, but he failed to put the ball over an onrushing Gus Vigels and the Dutch hit back on the counter. They forced a penalty corner and Taekema's low flick saw Ronald Brouwer do well to get a deflection into goal. That goal took the fight out of the Argentinians.
In the 60th minute Holland earned their third penalty corner and Rob Reckers did well to tap home the rebound after the goalkeeper had saved Taekema's flick. That completed the rout.
More from rediff