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Argentina got the better of Spain in the 3rd match of the Men’s Hockey World Cup in what was a nail-biting affair between the two sides. The Olympic champions prevailed by 4-3 scoreline in their Pool A match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
As many as five goals were scored in the first quarter. Spain got the lead twice but Argentina equalised every time and eventually got the lead thanks to a penalty corner from who else than Gonzalo Peillat.
There was no goal in the second quarter as both the teams opted for wait-and-watch approach. Spain got the equaliser in the third quarter but couldn’t hold that when Peillat scored his second from the penalty corner to secure the all-important win for his team.
Enrique Gonzalez scored in the third minute for Spain, only to see Agustin Mazzilli equalise in the next minute. Josep Romeu scored from PC three minutes before the first quarter but within 45 seconds, Argentina again got the equaliser through Mazzilli. Peillat scored his from his PC in the first quarter itself and then in the fourth quarter.
This was the eighth match between the two sides and both the teams have now won three matches apart from the two draws.
Let us take a look at the three standout players of the match:
#3 Enrique Gonzalez
One of most beautiful Spanish players on the pitch was Enrique Gonzalez. He was threatening on Argentine D box right from the start. Being a young talent, he possesses good skills and can dribble past few players at once.
True to his character, he opened the scoring for the Spanish side as early as in the third minute. He got the ball outside the circle and used excellent skills to come inside the box. He lost the ball then but quickly recovered within moments and took a diagonal shot which Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi had no chance to save.
He created danger in the Argentine box by swiftly switching positions. Spain’s attack were more concentrated on middle and down the left. It was Gonzalez who used the right side to bamboozle the opponent defender. He earned a PC two minutes before the end of the first quarter, which Josep Romeu duly converted.
He had to end the game like a tragic hero when he missed a shot in front of an open goal. But that doesn’t prevent him from being one of the best on the pitch.
#2 Agustin Mazzilli
When you score two goals and get the man of the match award for your performance, you ought to be on the list of the best of players. So is the case with Agustine Mazzilli. But apart from the two goals, the impact which he left on the pitch was inspiring for his team to earn a hard-fought win against a mightier opponent.
It was the fourth minute and Spain just went ahead in the match. Mazzilli, playing as a striker, got a cross from the right side and deflected the shot cleverly with his stick. That was a quick reaction from the man which earned the equaliser for his team.
He repeated the same feat, this time the cross came from the left side of the pitch. A poor cross went to Lucas Villa who was standing on the left. He saw two players on the D box and crossed calmly. Mazzilli just put his stick on the way of the ball which easily went into the net beating Spanish goalkeeper Quico Cortes.
He could’ve scored a hat-trick but failed to utilise a couple of opportunities in the 3rd and 4th quarter.
#1 Gonzalo Peillat
The Argentine legend once again came to the occasion and proved why he is called the best when it comes to taking a penalty corner. He scored two goals on Thursday, both from Penalty corners to earn his team all the three points from the match.
Peillat, who was playing solid in the backline, got his first chance just before the end of the first quarter. The way he concentrates when before taking a drag flick is exemplary. Before every match, he takes out at least 30 minutes and practices penalty corners to make it more perfect.
The first goal which he scored was 150th penalty conversion of his career. The second one was more important given the context of the match. The score was level at 3-3 and Argentina had the chance to go ahead. All eyes were on the star man Peillat. The Argentine didn’t disappoint as he shot thudded into the goal.
In both the goals, Peillat used power more than the position. The speed was magnificent and on paper, Spain had no chance anyway to stop them. He missed the second penalty corner – saved by the goalkeeper – was not correctly taken.
Peillat was partially responsible during the second goal as he didn’t block the shot. But who cares until he keeps on scoring!
