Argentina win stunning Semi Final against Netherlands
2nd Semi Final – NED 2-2 ARG (0-2 PSO) 

The encounter between the two hockey giants from the Netherlands and Argentina started off in a great atmosphere. The Olympic Champions and current Champions Trophy title holders from the Netherlands had the better start into this promising match penetrating the circle twice before the World Champions from Argentina came up dangerously in the Dutch circle for the first time. Their first attack led to the 1-0 when Argentina’s superstar Luciana Aymar won possession and passed the ball to Maria Josefina Srouga (14’) who deflected this brilliant pass into the goal.

The Argentine happiness did not last long as the Netherlands won their first penalty corner a few minutes later after a stick-tackle against Margot van Geffen. Maartje Paumen’s drag-flick was saved by the Argentine goalkeeper Belen Succi. The Netherlands were sure the ball had touched an Argentine defender’s foot and took their team-referral. The video umpire confirmed their assumption and they won another penalty corner. This time Paumen (19’), the FIH Player of the Year 2011, left Succi no chance and netted her 7^th goal against Argentina in Champions Trophy history.

Afterwards the World Champions from Argentina created some opportunities but they could not take advantage. The Netherlands also failed to take the lead after a penalty corner variation involving Paumen and Eva de Goede did not succeed. The match went into half time with a tied score 1-1.

Not even two minutes have been played in the second half when Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel (37’) scored out of the blue. Afterwards the Dutch supporters were subdued for a short time as keyplayer Paumen has slipped over a stick and fell. Lucky for the Dutch, she did not pick up any injury in this situation.

Argentina failed to equalise when Noel Barrionuevo’s attempt from a penalty corner missed its target. From now Argentina tried to pressure the Netherlands who defended strongly and stuck together as a team especially when Paumen was sent off with a green card. Argentina also had to miss their star player Aymar , who received a yellow card after she had played the ball away to stop a Dutch free-hit. In spite of missing Aymar, they won their third penalty corner taken by Barrionuevo. This brought the equaliser but the Dutch used their team referral again. They were convinced that obstruction had occurred in the circle. Again, their assumption was confirmed by the video umpire. The score stayed at 2-1.

Pushed forward by their big home crowd Aymar, who was back on the field, won another penalty corner after a stick-tackle from Willemijn Bos. This time Barrionuevo’s attempt was too high. Argentina substituted their goalkeeper for the last minutes of the game and attacked strongly. 86 seconds before the end of the match they won a penalty stroke after Paumen stopped an attack in the circle. The Olympic Champions took their team referral again but lost it this time as the decision penalty stroke was confirmed. Barrionuevo took responsibility and brought her team into extra-time. Her shot went into the bottom left corner. Neither Netherlands nor Argentina have ever conceded a goal in extra-time in Champions Trophy competition.

In extra-time Argentina were close to scoring from a penalty corner but the Dutch goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek saved the shot and rebound. The talented Dutch goalie produced another terrific save afterwards clearing with her glove and avoiding the Argentine Golden Goal. The Netherlands failed to score the Golden Goal when their penalty corner was taken right on time.

The match went into a penalty shoot-out and Argentina were the convincing winners scoring twice thanks to Rocio Sanchez Moccia and Luciana Aymar.

Match Review 19. Netherlands - Argentina 2-2 (0-2 PSO)

 
> Argentina are in the CT final of sixth year in succession.

> World Champions Argentina have now won 5 of their last 7 encounters with Olympic Champions Netherlands.

> The Dutch are in the third place play-off for the 7th time and for the first time since 2009.

> This was the 20th CT match between Netherlands and Argentina. The score is now 7 wins NED - 7 draws - 6 wins ARG. Only Netherlands and Australia have met more often in CT competition - 21 encounters.

> Josefina Sruoga scored her 2nd goal at Rosario 2012 and her third CT career goal.

> This match featured the top 2 goalscorers in Champions Trophy competition. Maartje Paumen is now on 25 CT career goals (23PC – 2PS) and Noel Barrionuevo is on 24 CT career goals (22PC – 2PS).

> Noel Barrionuevo converted a penalty stroke. She has now scored in 4 successive CT matches at Rosario 2012. The record for scoring in most successive CT matches is 6 by Noel Barrionuevo (in 2010) and Jackie Pereira (1987-1989).

> Maartje Paumen scored her 4th goal at Rosario 2012. Paumen has now scored 10 of her record 25 CT career goals in matches against Argentina.

> Maartje Paumen has now scored 7 of Holland's last 8 goals vs Argentina.

> Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel scored her first ever CT goal in 22 CT matches.

> Argentina failed to score from 5 penalty corners awarded and are now on 6 for 24 in the tournament (25%).

> Argentina have now conceded 7 goals from 19 penalty corners awarded to their opponents.

> The Dutch have now converted 4 of 24 penalty corners awarded at the 2012 Champions Trophy (17%).

> Netherlands have now conceded 3 PC goals from 21 penalty corners they faced.

Match Preview 19. Netherlands - Argentina (February 4th, 8:00pm)

Head-to-Heads

> World Champions Argentina have won 4 of their last 6 encounters with Olympic Champions Netherlands, beating them 3-0 in the final of the 2010 Rabo Trophy, winning twice by 4-2 at the 2010 Champions Trophy and winning 3-1 in the 2010 World Cup final.

> However, at the 2011 CT, Netherlands beat Argentina 2-1 in Pool C (goals by Maartje Paumen 2PC and Delfina Merino PC) and went on to win the 2011 CT beating Las Leonas in the final in a penalty shoot-out after the teams were tied at 3-3.

> This match features the top 2 goalscorers in Champions Trophy competition. Maartje Paumen is on 24 CT career goals (22PC – 2PS) and Noel Barrionuevo is on 23 CT career goals (22PC – 1PS).

 
Netherlands

> This match features the top 2 ranked team in the world. Netherlands are top of the World Ranking leading Argentina by a margin of only 33 points (2063 vs 2030 points).

> The Dutch are the reigning European champions, Olympic champions and Champions Trophy champions.

> The Netherlands chase a record breaking 7th Champions Trophy title. They now share the record for most CT tournament wins with Australia on 6.

> They aim to win back-to-back CT titles for the first time since 2004-2005.

> The Dutch have collected a record 17 CT medals. They have won a medal in the last 14 Champions Trophy editions. They have finished in the top 3 in 17 of their 18 previous CT participations.

> The Netherlands and GB have conceded only four goals at the 2012 Champions Trophy.

> Netherland and Korea have been awarded most penalty corners in their first four matches at Rosario 2012 (20). (Does not include Korea – Japan match from February 3rd).

> The Dutch have converted 3 of 20 penalty corners awarded at the 2012 Champions Trophy (15%).

> Kim Lammers is on 21 CT career goals, including 18 field goals. She needs to score only one more field goal to equal Nadine Ernsting-Krienke’s record of 19 field goals in CT competition.

> Lammers has scored in 3 successive CT matches at Rosario 2012. The Dutch record for scoring in consecutive CT matches is 4 by Maartje Paumen, Marilyn Agliotti and Ageeth Boomgaardt.

> Kim Lammers, Maartje Paumen and Luciana Aymar aim to collect their fifth CT gold medal to equal the record shared by Australia’s Rechelle Hawkes and Juliet Haslam.

> Maartje Paumen has scored 9 of her record 24 CT career goals in matches against Argentina (38%). This makes Argentina her favourite opponent in CT competition.

> Maartje Paumen has scored Holland’s last 6 goals vs Argentina. She scored all 5 Dutch goals in the 2 matches played vs Las Leonas at the 2011 CT and she scored Holland’s only goal in the 2010 World Cup final vs Argentina (3-1).

> Joyce Sombroek, Willemijn Bos and Maartje Paumen were all selected in the FIH 2011 Women’s All Star team.

 
Argentina

> Argentina have won 3 of the last 4 world level events (2009 CT, 2010 CT and 2010 World Cup). The other event was von by the Dutch (2011 CT).

> Host nations have won the Champions Trophy six times: NED 1987, AUS 1999, NED 2000, CHN 2002, AUS 2003 and NED 2011.

> Rosario 2012 is the first world level event since the 2008 Olympics to not see both Netherlands and Argentina in the final

> Argentina have collected 8 CT medals (4G-3S-1B). They have won a medal and reached the final in the last 5 Champions Trophy editions. They have finished in the top 3 in 8 of their 14 previous CT participations.

> Argentina have converted 6 penalty corners from 19 awarded in the tournament (32%).

> Argentina have conceded 6 goals from 15 penalty corners awarded to their opponents.

> Noel Barrionuevo has scored in 3 successive CT matches at Rosario 2012. The record for scoring in most successive CT matches is 6 by Noel Barrionuevo (in 2010) and Jackie Pereira (1987-1989).

> Noel Barrionuevo and Luciana Aymar were selected in the FIH 2011 Women’s All Star team.