The Hindu : Sport / Olympic Games : South Africa stuns Argentina

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 16, 2004

Sport

Sport - Olympic Games

South Africa stuns Argentina

By S. Thyagarajan

Australia 4<51>New Zealand 1

South Africa 2<51>Argentina 1

ATHENS, AUG. 15. What a start to the men's hockey competition! The essence of sport is the element of surprise and this was brought to the fore when South Africa outsmarted a vibrant Argentina in a pool `B' encounter to underline the complexities of challenges that lay ahead of every team.

There was another shock on Saturday night when the Aussie women, defending the gold, lost to Germany by the odd goal in three.

South Africa, widely regarded as a surprise qualifier after Greece failed in its bid to gain an automatic entry through the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), was not expected to be a tough customer for many. But the South Africans playing without any trace of inhibition came back to hit the target twice in the first half after conceding the lead.

The man who gave South Africa a fine hour this morning was the sharp shooter, Greg Nicol. Argentina did have everything its way initially and Almada's brilliant strike in the early minutes only confirmed it. But the Africans slowly picked up the threads, defended their end well. Goal-keeper Staniforth brought off a few brilliant saves even to shut down the dangerous flicker, Jorge Lombi in penalty corners. Argentina had nine against the two by South Africa.

Greg Nicol flicked within minutes after resumption, and connected a long cross from the right to find the target that shocked the defence.

Australia blanks

New Zealand

If the Aussie coach, Barry Dancer, wanted a perfect start for his men after the debacle of the women, the defending champion, against Germany last night, he had one against the Kiwis.

The Aussies, chasing the elusive gold for decades now, profited from a proficient display of marksmanship of Jaime Dwyer. Not only this gallant mid-fielder struck three of the four goals, but the manner in which he grabbed them underlined the synchronisation that the Aussie team was found wanting in the recent tournaments.

It was not as smooth as the margin may mirror. The Kiwis feeling the absence of an expert and energetic mid-fielder like Ryan Archbald offered a good deal of resistance though a bit wayward in the defence in the early part of the encounter. It was the reliable Troy Elder who hoisted the lead midway in the first half with an impecabble penalty corner.

Dwyer's first of the three surfaced when the Aussie attack was in full flow. McCann was conspicuous in the workouts, and provided a neat opening for Dwyer when defender Gosling wavered a bit. Dwyer grabbed the lapse to enlarge the margin. And shortly after half time half-time, Dwyer shot the third goal with a spectacular reverse flick off a cross from Travis Brooks.

The Kiwis, fighting with all their resources, cameback into the match with a goal by Darren Smith. But before the final whistle there was Dwyer again pumping the fourth goal for a comfortable victory.

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