In a stunning development overnight, Argentina were given a place in the final of the women’s Champions Trophy field hockey yesterday, replacing South Korea.
South Korea had taken second place in the semi-final pool with four points, the same as Argentina, but with more goals scored in the semi-final pool round. Argentina appealed to tournament director Stephanie Martens-Hodges on Saturday night, arguing that the standings in the semi-final pool were wrong as Argentina should be allowed to include the total points for all matches played in the tournament, and not just the points from matches in the semi-final pool.
South Korea won only one match in the tournament, and Argentina three. Martens-Hodges rejected the appeal and Argentina sought a hearing before a jury.
Photo: REUTERS
The jury then upheld the appeal, based on their understanding of the tournament regulations.
The jury included the seven points from the preliminary round of Argentina and three points from the semi-final pool for a total of 10 points for the South Americans.
South Korea had three points from the preliminary round and three points from the semi-final round. The jury therefore concluded that Argentina should be ranked second in the semi-final pool and play Netherlands in the final.
South Korea were to play New Zealand for the bronze medal, also yesterday.
The Netherlands beat South Korea 2-0 in the semi-final pool on Saturday.
Kim Lammers scored in the first seconds of play, taking a long pass from the backfield and carrying possession unchallenged into the circle to shoot past South Kore goalkeeper Moon Young-hui.
South Korea defeated both penalty corners from the Netherlands by running down the powerful flick of Maartje Paumen.
Lidewij Welten scored the Netherlands’ second field goal late in the first half, making the rebound off Moon’s pads from Marilyn Agliotti’s hard work to carry possession out of the backfield and shoot from the right.
South Korea earned three penalty corners for one clean shot on goal, saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek.
Earlier on Saturday, Argentina defeated New Zealand 3-2.
Argentina dominated the first half with three goals into New Zealand’s open net by Soledad Garcia, Luciana Aymar and Moccia Sanchez in the first half.
New Zealand hit back when Clarissa Eshuis converted New Zealand’s first penalty corner with a clean flick high into the net after the half time siren.
Charlotte Harrison scrambled the ball across the line off Eshuis’ second penalty corner flick early in the second half.
Luciana Aymar attributed Argentina’s attitude to their lack of power in the second.
“After New Zealand’s second goal it was mentally hard for us to continue,” Aymar said.
China yesterday beat Germany 5-3, putting China in seventh place and leaving Germany at eighth. England and Australia played for fifth position later yesterday.
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