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Germany and Argentina both showed good form to secure victories on Day 3, boosting their chances of appearing in the Samsung Champions Trophy Women 2008 Final on Sunday. Argentina defeated Australia by two goals to one, inspired by a superlative performance from Luciana AYMAR, while Natascha KELLER was the star of the show for Germany in their 2-1 win over Japan. Reports of the matches are below.
Argentina 2, Australia 1
Argentina produced an excellent performance to defeat the Hockeyroos in the first of the two evening matches here in Monchengladbach. Luciana AYMAR – so often the star of her team – was in fine form, being heavily involved in the majority of the best attacks put together by Argentina. However good her performance was, it was not the four time World Hockey player of the year who scored the goals. Strikes in each half from Noel BARRIONUEVO and Rosario LUCHETTI were enough to secure the win. At 1-0 down, Australia scored an equaliser through Megan RIVERS, but it was Argentina who emerged as rightful winners of this contest.
Argentina now have a day’s rest before their game against The Netherlands on Thursday, with Australia facing a tough match against China tomorrow.
MATCH FACTS:
> Argentina are now unbeaten in their last nine Champions Trophy encounters with Australia (6 wins, 3 draws).
> Noel Barrionuevo gave Argentina a 1-0 lead by converting a penalty corner.
> Rosario Luchetti scored the winning goal for Argentina and her first in Champions Trophy competition.
> Barrionuevo has now scored seven goals in Champions Trophy competitions, including two at Mönchengladbach 2008.
> All of Barrionuevo's seven goals came from penalty corners.
> Last year, at Quilmes 2007, Barrionuevo scored one of Argentina's three goals against Australia (3-0).
> Megan Rivers, who picked up her 100th cap for Australia today, netted her second goal of the tournament.
> Rivers' goal marked the 200th goal for the Hockeyroos in Champions Trophy history.
> Australia are the first team to reach this milestone.
Japan 1, Germany 2
Germany made it two wins from three matches in the late game here in Monchengladbach, defeating a resilient Japan by two goals to one. Having dominated much of the game, Germany probably deserved the victory, but Japan came to life in the last fifteen minutes of the match to give the home favourites a scare. However, it was excellent goals from Anke KHUEN and the ever-reliable Natascha KELLER that ensured that all three points went to Germany. Japan will play again tomorrow against The Netherlands, with Germany having a day’s rest before returning to action on Thursday against China.
The opening goal of the game was scored by Anke KUEHN, who slapped the ball into the goal following a brilliant run along the backline from Janne MUELLER-WIELAND. Germany’s second goal of the game was an absolute beauty from Natascha KELLER, who seemed to be running out of space in the circle before unleashing a sensational backhand shot into the bottom corner of the goal. Germany were made to work hard for their win, with Japan dominating the last fifteen minutes of the match. Japan pulled a goal back from Chie KIMURA with ten minutes left to play, and pressed hard for an equaliser, but Germany were impressive in defence and secured their second win of the tournament.
MATCH FACTS:
> Japan and Germany had met once before in Champions Trophy history. At Quilmes 2007, Germany won 1-0 through a field goal by Nadine Ernsting-Krienke.
> Natascha Keller is the top scorer in the current German squad with 13 Champions Trophy goals to her name.
> Germany's Nadine Ernsting-Krienke is all-time top scorer in Champions Trophy history with 22 goals.
> Anneke Böhmert collected her 100th cap for Germany in today's match against Japan.
> Germany (9 PC awarded) and Japan (5 PC awarded) are the only teams that are yet to score a penalty corner goal at Mönchengladbach 2008.
> Japan are the only team that are yet chasing their first point at Mönchengladbach 2008.
The Netherlands and China were not involved in any matches on Day 3, but will resume their Champions Trophy campaigns on Day 4 (Wednesday 21 May 2008)
For more information on the tournament, please visit the FIH Microsite: http://www.samsungchampionswomen.sportcentric.com/
