England stun Oly champs Argentina to reach semis
One would never have expected England to come this far in the hockey World Cup. After being held by debutants China in the opening pool game and then losing to Australia, even they would’ve been planning an early flight back home. But the last pool game against Ireland revived them and their crossover win over New Zealand earned them a quarter-final berth.
With the momentum of the last two games behind them, England stunned reigning Olympic champions Argentina (3-2) to become the first team to secure a semi-final berth.
“At one stage, we were not thinking of a semis berth. We were playing good hockey in patches, but today the entire team played a consistent game,” said England’s Mark Gleghorne.
England dominated the first quarter with 60% ball possession, but couldn’t score in the face of a stout defence. Argentina dragflicker Gonzallo Peillat was on
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target in the second minute of the next quarter. England goalkeeper George Pinner tried to stop the drag-flick, diving to his right, but the ball rolled in despite Pinner slowing down its pace.
Experienced Barry Middleton, playing in his fourth World Cup, got the equaliser in the 27th minute. England had seven circle penetrations in the third quarter, five more than Argentina. The last minute of the quarter saw England’s Will Calnan --- shown a yellow card in the 37th minute --- scoring a field goal.
English’s domination continued in the fourth quarter though Peillat again equalised with his deadly drag flick in the 48th minute. But Harry Martin restored England’s lead soon.