Argentina edge past France in Day-I of INSEP Hockey Challenge – Hockey Update
The Men’s hockey team of Argentina displayed an impressive performance and took the home team of France down by a single goal, 3-2 in the Day-I game of the INSEP Hockey Challenge that took place at the National Institute of Sports (INSEP) in Paris on July
26, 2011.
Pablo Lombi – the Chief Coach of the Argentinean hockey team while speaking to the media after the match stated that they were quite happy over the victory but should win the game by 3-0. Facing two goals in the second period was a major backdrop, he added.
He said, “However, this is our first match of the tournament, and this is the first time our group has come together to compete in an international competition for some time. We will aim to play better and better in each game of the tournament.”
He was of the opinion that the event was a good opportunity for the forthcoming Pan American Cup in which the winner would get direct berth in the 2012 London Olympics.
Chief Coach of the French side Scott Goodheart after the game said that he was quite disappointed with the team performance. Commenting on the defensive line of France, he stated that he was sure that the second and third goals could have been blocked. However,
the French trainer expressed satisfaction over the attacking line. They rendered a striking game and reduced the lead down to a single goal in the second period.
He maintained, “Like most of the teams here, we are preparing for a major qualifying tournament in the next month or so. The results are important, but it is just as important for us in these matches to continue to improve as a group.”
It was a hard fought game where both the teams put extra efforts to take the first game into their favour. Both Argentina and France received equal opportunities in the first half of play and exchanged attacks. However, it was Argentina which had the edge
over France in the early part of the game.
Despite back-to-back attempts, from the two teams neither succeeded to touch the scoreboard in the first 34 minutes of the match. Rodrigo Vila took the ball into the D-Line and slammed a powerful hit at the roof of the backboard in the last minute of the
first half.
In the second half, Matias Paredes scored second goal for Argentina and increased pressure on the home side. In result of the fast game, Lucas Cammareri scored a goal from the field and took the advantage up to three.
At last the French team cranked up their offence and scored two goals. Fabien Magner and Victor Lockwood scored one goal each to take their side back into the game. However, they failed to tie the knots and lost the game 3-2.
Tags: