Argentina score first win

Early favourites, Argentina, collected their first three points in a hard-fought 2-1 win over Japan in the Champions Challenge hockey tournament at the National hockey stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. They are now back in contention for the sole Champions Trophy berth.

In the only match of the day, the Argentines had to deal with a hardworking Japanese side, which took control in the early stages of play.

Both teams came into this match-up, after losing their opening matches. The South Americans, the surprise winners of the World Cup qualifier in Edinburgh last July, had lost 3-2 to South Africa, while Japan went down 1-0 to Malaysia.

Japan applied the pressure in the opening stages of play, and their persistence paid off in the 13th minute when Kenichi Katayama collected the ball at the top of the semi circle and fired past goalkeeper Pablo Moreira.

The goal roused the Argentines from their 'siesta'. They found their rhythm and went on the offensive. The Japanese, in particular, goalkeeper Jun Takahashi, kept them at bay until the 22nd minute when Argentina earned their second penalty corner.

Just as he did in the first penalty-corner, Takahashi palmed the flick, but this time Santiago Capurro pounced on the loose ball and got the equaliser.

Now, the Argentines were on a roll and sent the Japanese into a defensive mode. It was the same story after the breather and the Argentines went 2-1 up, four minutes into the second half.

Capurro got his second goal. He collected the ball from a free hit and easily put it past Takahashi. Argentina went in search of more goals, but the Japanese held firm.

Monday's matches: Argentina vs Belgium, South Africa vs Japan, India vs Malaysia..

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