CHN V ARG ( Pool B ) Hockey World League Final Rosario 2015

CHN

3 - 1

ARG

Match Review CHN - ARG 3-1

Watch clips from the China - Argentina game at the…Posted December 8, 2015

Argentina were rocked by a Chinese team that beat them 3-1 in a classy exhibition of energetic, skilful and determined hockey.

While Argentina made the brighter start, it was China who were soon sending perfect passes whizzing over the pitch and making in-roads against the Argentina defence with their speedy running and innovative play. Maria Granatto nearly gave host nation Argentiina the perfect start as she skied a ball just over the cross bar in the third minute of the game.

Wu Qiong then made a perfect cross pitch pass that signalled China's intention to take the game to Argentina. Cui Qiuxia was playing her usual hard working and creative role while all around her the Chinese team looked to press the Argentine defence.

The Chinese signature style is to defend deep and then counter quickly and it was just such a move that led to the opening goal. It was Wang Mengyu (22')who slammed home a penalty corner at head height past Belen Succi in the Argentina goal.

The Chinese were on the attack again just a few minutes later when Zhang Xiaoxue displayed a tremendous burst of speed to get behind the usually impenetrable Argentine defence. Her shot was countered by Succi, and the defence recovered to clear it and the danger.

As the half drew towards its end, Argentina won a series of penalty corners but the Chinese defence stood firm. Firstly Li Dongxaio, the Chinese 'keeper made a fine save to deny Carla Rebecchi, then De Jiaojiao was out at top speed to deal with a shot from Agustina Albertarrio that was rocketing on route to goal.

The second half began with Argentina setting out to break down the Chinese defence. A swift attacking move up the left resulted in a penalty corner which Noel Barriounuevo converted with precision.

The stadium of passionate Las Leonas fans could have been forgiven that this was the moment that Argentina would grab the game, but China continued to push forwards. Zhao Yudiao (39') was the grateful recipient of a pass after Zhang Xiaoxue's amazing run left the Argentina defence chasing shadows.

If that created unrest among the Argentina side, what happened next stunned the whole stadium. Yu Qian (42') picked up the ball to the left of Succi's goal and hit the ball into the far right of the goal with stunning precision.

A frenetic final 15 minutes started with the Argentina team pushing forwards in numbers. They peppered the Chinese goal, but this was a day that Li was in fantastic form in goal and she parried shot after shot. The best save came from a high shot from Delfina Merino. Merino then caught the rebound and shot millimetres wide of the post. Sun Xiao then followed her goalkeeper's example, batting a shot off the line as Granatto attempted to get her side back into the match.

Goals

Team	Minute	Shirt #	Player	Action	Score
CHN	22	2	WANG Mengyu	PC	1 - 0
ARG	32	27	BARRIONUEVO Noel	PC	1 - 1
CHN	39	21	ZHAO Yudiao	FG	2 - 1
CHN	42	27	YU Qian	FG	3 - 1

Cards

Team	Minute	Shirt #	Player	Type
ARG	14	16	HABIF Florencia	G
CHN	49	7	CUI Qiuxia	G

CHN

Minute	Shirt #	Name	Goals	Green
X	1	LI Dongxiao
X	2	WANG Mengyu	1
X	6	DE Jiaojiao
X	7	CUI Qiuxia		1
7	8	WU Mengrong
X	10	PENG Yang
X	11	LIANG Meiyu
5	15	ZHONG Mengling
8	16	OU Zixia
X	18	WU Qiong
X	19	ZHANG Xiaoxue
X	20	SUN Xiao
9	21	ZHAO Yudiao	1
10	25	BAO Qianqian
X	27	YU Qian	1
X	28	LI Jiaqi
7	29	ZHANG Jinrong
Bench	32	YE Jiao

ARG

Minute	Shirt #	Name	Goals	Green
X	1	SUCCI Belen
Bench	2	TOCCALINO Sofia
18	3	ZULOAGA Victoria
11	6	CEDRES Jimena
6	7	CAVALLERO Martina
X	9	DUPUY Carla
X	11	REBECCHI Carla
X	12	MERINO Delfina
Bench	13	ALADRO Maria
X	14	HABIF Agustina
X	15	GRANATTO Maria
X	16	HABIF Florencia		1
X	17	SANCHEZ Rocio
11	18	ROMANG Pilar
22	19	ALBERTARRIO Agustina
X	23	CAMPOY Maria Pilar
X	27	BARRIONUEVO Noel	1
X	29	GOMES Julia

DNP = Did not participate
S = Suspended
DSQ = Disqualified

Match Officials

Role	Official
Umpire 1	McCLEAN Ayanna
Umpire 2	YAMADA Emi
Reserve Umpire	MEISTER Michelle
Video Umpire	BLOCK Frances
Judge 1	SHIN Jung Hee
Judge 2	AKII-BUA Nataki
Technical Officer	TAKEDA Alicia