by Hockey Supporter
12. June 2009 05:13
While England held Korea to a draw, titleholders Argentina struggled more than expected yet again, but this time managed to book three points in a 3:1 victory over Egypt.
Korea draw England 2:2 (0:1)
Already through to the medal round after winning all three of their previous preliminary round matches, Korea played a listless and lethargic, entirely untypical of them, against a spirited English team that managed to score the first goals of the competition against the Asian side - a feat that Spain and Malaysia had failed at before them.
England showed they meant serious business from the beginning, startling the Koreans with an early goal from Chris Gregg, but couldn't move to safety by piling on another. Korea finally equalized halfway into the second half, but only to find England respond in kind and restore the lead with a penalty corner of their own.
Korean team captain Dong Hyun Lee eventually avoided the defeat for his team with a late goal that spelt a 2:2 draw and England and Korea slitting points. Korea thus sit safely at the top of pool C, while England move on to a non-medal round pool from their 4th pool C table position.
Argentina defeat Egypt 3:1 (1:1)
Argentina struggled yet again in their quest to defend their title, today against an Egyptian team that went all out and fought tooth and nail to take a point off the World Champions.
After 20 minutes of open fight, in which Egypt even had the better opportunities but failed to convert, Santiago Montelli had his team breathe a sigh of relief when he sank his first goal of today. The relief was short-lived however, as Houssam Ghabran had the stands erupt in cheers little later with the equalizer.
The two teams thus went into halftime at a one all draw, but when they returned, the balance had shifted in Argentina's favor. Minutes after their return, the Southamericans were awarded a penalty stroke that Santiago Montelli duly converted, and Leandro Tolini piled on one more goal from his specialty, the penalty corner.
Now two goals ahead, the Argentineans didn't have to do much more, and brought the game home safely, virtually assuring their progression to the medal round.
Korea - England 2:2 (0:1)
ENG - Chris GREGG FG 6m
KOR - Moon Kweon KANG PC 52m
ENG - David BECKETT PC 56m
KOR - Dong Hyun LEE FG 63m
Argentina - Egypt 3:1 (1:1)
ARG - Santiago MONTELLI FG 21m
EGY - Houssam GHABRAN FG 27m
ARG - Santiago MONTELLI PS 39m
ARG - Leandro TOLINI PC 49m
(source: worldhockey.org)
