Argentina ties first game of two-match series against France
The men’s hockey team of France succeeded to draw first Test of the two-match series against Argentina held at the arena of the France National Sports Centre in Pairs, France.
The visiting team started the game in quite impressive way, but could not maintain their momentum for the next thirty-five minutes of play. The midfielders of Argentina found some strong goal-scoring chances, but failed to capitalise them.
An end-to-end play was observed in the early 20 minutes, as both sides could not score a goal in the period. However, the French team revved it up and established their early dominance in the game. With four minutes left in the first half, Martin Genestet
managed to take the ball at top of the circle and played a powerful flicking shot moved right into the goalpost. France was holding a one-goal, 1-0 advantage at the end of the first half action.
Fabien Magner, another French player, successfully converted a penalty-corner though a powerful drag flicking shot and doubled the tally. With a two-goal lead, France put the visiting squad under intense pressure.
The French strikers within the next fifteen minutes received another two chances but could not convert them into successful scores. An impressive counter-attack from Argentinean side made a full stop at the strikes from France. It was the visiting team that
started their action and had it all even at 2-2 within ten minutes of action.
With fourteen minutes left on the clock, Mathias Pardes notched the first goal of the day and decreased the lead down to one point.
Following their first point, the Argentinean players started most offensive game to make the game tie. France was showing stiff defence, but it could not stop the visiting attackers to mark second goal of the game. With only three minutes left on the clock,
Lucas Cammareri, the forward man of Argentina, scored a goal and had it all even. The two sides held a 2-2 dead-lock with them to the sidelines and observed an end-to-end play in the dying minutes of the game.
Scott Goodheart, the head coach of French Hockey Team, while talking to the media said that it was a pleasing start with combination of a better offence with stiff defence. However, he admitted that they failed to show impressive defence in the second half
of action.
The visiting squad of Argentina is currently standing at the 11th position in the world rankings. They are regularly competing for Olympic Games and World Cup for the last two decades. They obtained the 6th place in the world ranks
back in 2009. On the other hand, France is standing at the 17th place in the ranking and is going to partake in the Olympic Qualifiers for the first time.
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