Men’s Hockey World League Round 3: Argentina stun England 3-1, to meet Germany in final
Gonzalo Peillat has scored a score in every game of Round 3 of Hockey World League
World number ten Argentina showed why they are the new force in world hockey as they stunned fourth-ranked England 3-1 to set up a final date with Olympic gold medalist and world number one Germany in the 2nd men’s FIH Hockey World League Round 3 event being played in Johor Bahru.
The Las Leonas took the lead in the third minute through Facundo Callioni. The South Americans extended the lead four minutes later when Eduardo Garreta rattled the English cage.
In-form Gonzalo Peillat struck the third goal converting a penalty corner in the 11th minute as England were pushed on the back foot.
It was Peillat’s fifth goal of the tournament – continuing his sequence of scoring in every match of the Round 3 event.
Argentina led 3-0 at the break.
England netted a consolation goal through a short corner strike by Nick Catlin in the 49th minute but Argentina did not allow any more leeway and cruised home 3-1.
Germany overcame Korea 3-1 in another semifinal match. Christopher Zeller converted a short corner in the 14th minute- his fifth goal of the event. He, too, has also scored in every match of the tournament.
Korea equalized in the 60th minute through Yong Nam Lee.
The match was tantalizingly poised with ten minutes remaining for the final hooter, but Germany struck twice in the dying moments – first through Linus Butt’s PC goal and later, a final minute goal by Martin Zwicker.
Meanwhile, world number five Pakistan went down 1-3 to 13th ranked Malaysia.
In another game, Japan pipped South Africa 1-0 in shootout after both teams were locked 2-2 in regulation time.
England play Korea for the third spot play-off while Japan meet Malaysia for the fifth spot play-off.
Pakistan meet South Africa for the seventh spot play-off.