New Zealand beat Argentina via sudden death to enter semis

NEW DELHI: New Zealand defeated Argentina in sudden death after both the teams were locked at 1-1 in regulation time followed by deadlock in penalty shoot-out, to progress to the semifinals of the Hero Hockey World League Final at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, here today.

World ranked seventh New Zealand seized initiative in the first half when Kane Russell converted a penalty corner in the eighth minute from their first scoring opportunity.

Thereafter New Zealand controlled the proceedings in the rest of the half with better share of ball possession as the Argentines played catch-up hockey.

Argentina managed to earn two back-to-back penalty corners in the first half but failed to utilize them.

New Zealand could have doubled their lead in the 28th minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke after Simon Child was stick checked by an Argentine defender inside the circle but captain Dean Couzins shot wide.

After the change of ends, the Argentines looked more organised and slowly and steadily got their footing in the match.

The Argentine midfield and forwardline combined well in the second period to create a number of opportunities only to return empty-handed.

Argentina finally managed to draw parity in the 59th minute through Matias Paredes who slammed home a loose bouncing ball.

Both the teams, thereafter, created chances but failed to convert them into goals to take the match into penalty shoot-out.

The one-on-one shoot-out also failed to break the deadlock as the two teams converted two opportunities each out of five shots, forcing the game into a sudden death.

Both Argentina and New Zealand scored from the first attempt of the sudden death forcing to prolong the game further.

However, in the next round of attempts Argentina faltered but New Zealand scored through Blair Hilton to enter the last-four stage, where they will face England on Friday.

Argentina, ranked 11th in the world, will take on Belgium in the 5-8 place classification match on Friday.