Argentina versus Netherlands: 2011 Rabo FIH Champions Trophy – Preview
The women’s hockey squad of Argentina will face-off the host team of Netherlands in Pool C contest of the 2011 Rabo FIH Champions Trophy on June 30, at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.
Argentina
The World Champions, Argentina, which is in a shocked state-of-mind after drawing a game against South Korea in the final group clash, will have to recuperate the previous status of the game in order to continue their winning-streak.
It is vital to explain here that the draw in the last game broke the series of victories of the World Number One team, which has not lost any world-level game since 2010 Champions Trophy. It has won the last thirteen games of which seven matches were played
in the World Cup, while remaining in the Champions Trophy.
Despite having a good track record in the current edition, it was a big shock for Las Leonas. It is currently holding the top position in Pool C with a draw. It defeated English and Chinese teams by 1-0 and 4-1 respectively, in the Pool A fixtures. In the
Pool C competition, the game between South Korea and Las Leonas concluded at 1-1 draw. It scored 6 goals in the three games and conceded only 2.
Four-time Player of the Year award holder, Luciana Aymar and Agustina Soledad Garcia, are part of the Las Leonas’ squad and ready to lift the fourth version of the Championship.
The Netherlands
Interestingly, the host team of Netherlands is holding the third position in Pool C by a solitary point, but with a low conversion rate. In the Pool B fixtures, it trounced Hockeyroos and Germany by 3-0 and 2-1, respectively. However, the fixture between
the home squad and New Zealand completed at 0-0 draw. The Dutch side had a low conversion rate as compared to Las Leonas. It scored five goals while conceded only a single goal in the three appearances.
Though the Argentinean squad clinched last three versions of the Champions Trophy. However, the Netherlands has a better record in the past with five victories. Conversely, the Dutch squad is quite optimistic to take Las Leonas down in the upcoming fixture
in order to move into title-claiming contest.
Kim Lammers and skipper, Maartje Paumen, are the players who have had more than 100 caps in the international career.
Players to watch
From the Argentinean side, Daniela Sruoga, Delfina Merino, Agustina Soledad Garcia, Noel Barrionuevo and Luciana Aymar scored one goal each in the last three games. However, the games of Garcia and Aymar will be worth watching.
On the other side Wieke Dijkstra, Kim Lammers, Maartje Paumen, Carlijn Welten and Lidewij Welten are the point scorers from the Netherlands. But Lammers and Dijkstra will be worth-looking stars of the Dutch side in the crucial game.
Head-to-Head Statistics
The Argentinean side defeated Dutch team by 4-2 twice in the 2010 Champions Trophy. It edged past once in the round match while secondly in the finals and lifted the title. Moreover, Argentina took Netherlands down by three goals in the finals of the 2010
FIH World Cup.
Prediction
On the basis of their last fixtures in 2010 and current performances, it would be a head-to-head contest. However, it is expected that Argentina will beat the Netherlands by 3-1.
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