Argentina stun Netherlands, Australia secure fighting win

The opening day of the Hero Hockey World League Final witnessed a major upset as lower-ranked Argentina put up a spirited display to outclass London Olympic silver medallist Netherlands 5-2, while world number two Australia eked out a narrow 3-2 win over Belgium in Pool B at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, here today.
The 11th ranked Argentines signaled their intentions early when they took the lead in just the second minute of the game through a penalty corner conversion by Gonzalo Peillat.
The pre-tournament favourites Netherlands responded immediately with an equally well-converted penalty corner from dragflick exponent Mink van der Weerden (5th minute).

But three minutes later, Argentina regained their lead with a diving field effort from Facundo Callioni (8th) to go into the breather with their nose ahead.
After the change of ends, both the teams adopted defensive tactics, at least for the first 15 minutes of the second half.
But Netherlands drew parity in the 50th minute through a field goal from Seve van Ass, son of national coach Paul van Ass, who scored with a reverse stick shot from left of the goal.

Six minutes later, Argentina surged ahead once again when Pedro Ibarra (56') converted a penalty corner before Guido Barriedes (60th minute) scored a beautiful field goal to extend the lead of Los Leones.

Argentina added insult to Netherlands' injury when they were awarded a penalty stroke and Juan Ignacio Gilardi (67th) made no mistake to make the scoreline 5-2.
Meanwhile, in the opening match of Pool B, Australia rode on a late field goal from Jacob Whetton to beat Belgium 3-2.
Apart from Whetton, Kieron Govers (33rd, 48th minutes) scored a brace for the Kookaburras.
Tom Boon (33rd) and Thomas Briels (53rd) sounded the board for Begium.