Lions crush New Zealand and reach the quarter-finals in Tokyo – Tellam

The Argentine men’s field hockey team, Los Lions, on Friday qualified for the quarter-finals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after beating New Zealand 4-1, and peaked in third place in Group A, after a convincing performance that included an eye-catching reaction of the oceans. .

The match was held in the southern stadium of Uy Hockey Stadium and the goals of Argentina were Lucas Martinez (15 minutes), Lucas Villa (17 m), Jose Leandro Tolini (44 m) and Nicholas Keenan (60 m), while Ken Russell (60 m) scored. 14 AD) put New Zealand at the fore.

After completing the qualifying stage, Australia won Group A with 13 units, India added 12, Argentina with 7, Spain with 5 (the seeded four), New Zealand 4 and Japan 1.

Argentina still does not know which team will play next Sunday in the quarter-finals, which will be the second in Group B (it could be Great Britain, Germany or the Netherlands).

Argentina started the match with good pressure on the opponent, with ambition knowing that the only way was to win, but with limitations to reach New Zealand’s goal.“

Los Lions’ campaign began with a draw with Spain (1-1), then defeated (2-1), lost to Australia (5-2) and India (3-1) and ended with a victory over New Zealand (4). 1).

For the team led by Carlos Retegui, this was an all-or-nothing match, while New Zealand knew that with two results, win or draw, they qualified for the next example and made history as they only eliminated the current Olympic champion. , since the Los Leones won gold at Ro 2016.

Argentina started the match with good pressure on the opponent, with ambition knowing that the only way was to win, but with limitations to reach New Zealand’s goal, annoying with individual arrests but without the offensive play made after successive passes.

New Zealand had the ball in the second half of the opening quarter and in 14 minutes took advantage of a short corner kick and a goal from Ken Russell, the team’s top scorer with five wins in games, which meant a severe blow to those who advanced. by Retegui.

However, the Argentine’s greatest merit was the mood he displayed in that section of the game, because far from showing a deteriorating mood, he rearmed himself and went looking for the equalizer he found as a reward for that position a minute later when Martinez made it 1-1 with a turn. There was no regret, only mood and in the face of adversity.

For the team led by Carlos Retegui, this was an all-or-nothing match, while New Zealand knew that with two results, win or draw, they would qualify for the next game.“

In the second quarter, Argentina’s advantage came 2-1 with a goal from Villa after the center of the defense of Lucas Rossi, and from there the “Albiceleste” team started playing the match they imagined, with many passes in the central region. Midfielders and strikers.

Retegui scored two penalties (they added five in 60 minutes versus two from New Zealand) and forced one of them to review British referee Martin Madden, who was injured and replaced by Dutchman Koen van Bong, because in principle he was punished for a criminal offence, and the original ruling was later corrected.

In the third quarter, New Zealand took the lead on the field, they had no other choice, and the Lions were very close to the third goal after a penalty kick when Martinez failed to finish the match by millimeters. The difference was made towards the end of that period when Tollini finished with a superb draw after a short corner kick, when he firmly pinned the right post to the ocean goal defended by Lane Hayward.

Argentina defended well against an opponent who only relied on striker Russell in the opposition and in the final match of the match Keenan took advantage of the absence of the opposing goalkeeper and established the final with a 4-1 score.“

In the final quarter, New Zealand replaced Hayward and put in a field player to search for a match-turning miracle.

Argentina defended well against an opponent who relied only on striker Russell in the opponent and in the last game of the match, Keenan took advantage of the absence of the opposing goalkeeper and established the final match with a 4-1 score.

After the match came the hugs, the cry of emotion from several lions, the anger contained as they were considered to have been eliminated before time and coach Retigui’s husband.

“We haven’t achieved anything, we have to keep going, we are one game away from a medal, only one game away for another medal, so from now on it’s focus and discipline so we have to play,” Retigui said.

+ + Sntesis

Argentina: Juan Manuel Vivaldi; Leandro Tolini, Pedro Ibarra and Nicholas Cicillo; Juan Martin López, Matas Rey, Ignacio Ortiz and Lucas Rossi; Lucas Villa, Miko Casella and Agustin Mazelli. Then came Habib, Martinez, Paz, Salis, and Kenan. DT: Carlos Retegui.

Nueva Zealand: Leon Heyward; David Brydon, Dean Litt, Nick Ross and Jake Smith; Jared Pancia, Nick Woods, Blair Tarrant and Thomas Dylan; Ken Russell and Sean Findley. DT: Glenn Turner.

Joule: 14 m. Ken Russell (New Zealand); 15 m. Lucas Martinez (a); 17 m. Lucas Villa (A); 44 m. Gus Leandro Tolini (Extra Earth) LLC 60m. Nicholas Keenan (A).

Venue: Oi Hockey Stadium

Referee: Martin Madden (Great Britain), replaced by injury Koen van Bong (Netherlands).