| # | Info | Date | Teams | Score | Status | Match Sheet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 25th, 2012 | ||||||
| 8 | Pool B | 5:30pm |
|
1 - 2 (0 - 1) | Final | |
South Africa v Argentina 1-2 (0-1): Home team wrestles down South Africa to stay on top in pool B
In the second day's last match, the hosts clashed with South Africa, and it was clear from the first minute, that it was going to be an all-out fight.
Ten minutes into the game, Argentina won a penalty corner, and young Gonzalo Peillat, currently Argentina's number 1 corner striker and on the way to becoming the team's most reliable scorer stepped up and sank a low flick for the match's first goal.
An open battle ensued, a physical game with many skirmishes but few scoring opportunities, as South Africa went to battle to salvage a point and Argentina fought off their challenge to stay ahead. The home team appeared more consolidated and held the South Africans at bay for almost 40 minutes, until a little more than ten minutes into the second half, Matthew Guise-Brown managed to snatch the elusive and elating equalizer.
The South Africans' joy lasted a mere eight minutes however, until Argentina's Willy Schickendantz had his moment in the spotlight. The 33-year-old prolific striker who enjoys great respect in Europe for his appearances with Spanish and Belgian club sides but is only playing his first international tournament with the Argentinean national team, was perfectly positioned near the far post to tap a ball across the circle over the line and give Argentina the winning goal.
South Africa chased another equalizer for he remaining fifteen minutes but Argentina had a firm grip on the match and even had a few opportunities to increase the damage. The match ended with Argentina winning by narrowest of margins staying on top of pool B with 2 victories from as many matches.