As opening assignments go, they do not get much tougher than the World Champions in the first game. Against the defending Champions Trophy title holders Argentina in Amstelveen, England narrowly went down 1-0 to a moment of individual skill from Luciana Aymar midway through the second half although in truth it was the South Americans that enjoyed the best of the chances.
Despite the narrow scoreline, England Head Coach Danny Kerry was disappointed with how his side had played. He said, “Some people brought their B games today and we need to be much tougher in possession and on the ball. We need to be much better tomorrow.”
Reading defender Sam Quek came off the bench to make her senior tournament debut while Leicester’s Anne Panter and Reading’s Anna Bennett also both came on to mark their comebacks from injury and retirement respectively. Leicester pair Maddie Hinch and Rebecca Herbert sat out the opening match in the stand.
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Related Stories:
Hockey: England women’s squad named for Champions Trophy
Hockey: Blue is the colour at London 2012
Hockey: Super sixes National Indoor Final
……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………
In heavy rain, the first opportunity of a relatively quiet opening period fell to Argentina’s Carla Rebecchi whose reverse stick shot flew over the top of Beth Storry’s goal. And the Reading goalkeeper also blocked well at the feet of Daniella Sruoga.
England edged their way into the match and the skills of Alex Danson along the right hand baseline almost created an opportunity on 15 minutes after her cut back was deflected across goal by the glove of Belen Succi. As Argentina cleared the danger England appealed to the video umpire in the hope of winning a penalty corner. However, the video umpire did not agree with England’s view of a clash of sticks and England lost their right of referral.
The move had sparked England into life and Anna Bennett and Kerry Williams almost combined inside the Argentinean circle but the Leicester forward could not control the ball to the back post.
As the half continued Argentina created a series of chances but a combination of good goalkeeping from Storry and sound defensive work prevented any score. Storry, who was named in the International Hockey Federation’s World All Stars Team for 2010, was out quickly to block from Luciana Aymar as the seven times World Player of the Year latched on to a pass. And prior to that, captain Kate Walsh had cleared calmly in front of goal under pressure.
At the other end, just minutes before half time, England thought they had been awarded a penalty corner but Argentina successfully appealed to the video umpire and the sides went in at the break level at 0-0.
The second half began with Argentina exerting sustained pressure on the English back line, who coped well. After Crista Cullen failed to retreat five yards from an Argentina free hit, Las Leonas were awarded the game’s first penalty corner but Cullen made amends as she charged down the first, albeit with the ball hitting her foot. The follow up corner was deflected wide of the goal and it remained 0-0.
Beijing Olympian Cullen served a two minute suspension after she picked up a green card but Argentina could not capitalise.
England’s first foray upfield in the second half came courtesy of more good work from Danson, driving through the Argentina defence and along the baseline before she was tackled as she reached the goalkeeper.
Just as England were starting to enjoy a little more possession, Luciana Aymar struck to put Argentina 1-0 ahead. Entering the top of the circle, Aymar showed superb skill to elude Helen Richardson before unleashing a shot on the reverse low into the bottom left corner. And it could have been two a minute later but Beth Storry saved well low to her right from Argentina’s third penalty corner.
Having taken the lead, Argentina began to sit a little deeper, as England searched for an equaliser. Despite their second half possession, England could not break down the Argentina defence although Clifton forward Georgie Twigg had a chance late on. After Alex Danson’s cross entered the circle, Twigg did well to take the ball down from waist height, setting up a chance on her reverse. But, under pressure, the 20 year old failed to connect and Argentina survived, ending English hopes of a late equaliser.
England’s next match comes early on Sunday morning, at 8:00am BST, as they take on Korea, who surrendered a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with China earlier on Saturday.
England Hockey for Sportsister,
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Image credit: Ady Kerry
