Defeat to Argentina for GB’s women

Great Britain 0 (0)

Argentina 3 (0)

Raposo (34’, FG); Albertarrio (35’, FG); Diaz (55’, FG)

Great Britain and Argentina came into this game both looking to improve their position in the pool ahead of the quarter finals. The match also saw two milestones with Sarah Robertson winning her 100th cap for Great Britain and Tess Howard her 100th combined cap for GB and England. After an entertaining but goalless first half, the game turned with three pieces of superb individual finishing from Argentina, with goals from Raposo and Albertarrio in the third quarter.  The victory was sealed with a third from Diaz in the final quarter. 

This pool B encounter was high intensity from the start, and GB found some space to attack and made early inroads into the Argentina 23’. On five minutes a GB counter saw Hannah French earn a first penalty corner when she cut inside and was obstructed in the circle.  Costello’s drag flick from the top of the circle was well blocked by the Argentinian runner and the chance went.

Argentina’s best chance came from a Maria Granatto pass across goal, but Sophie Hamilton just managed to get a stick on it ahead of a diving attacker.

Late in the quarter GB came so close to taking the lead from a penalty corner.  After a run by French in on the left goal line, the ball ran to Howard whose flick towards goal came up off the keeper and was deemed dangerous. Giselle Ansley’s first drag flick from the penalty corner hit the runner, but her second hit the right hand post and deflected back across the goal, it was millimeters from giving GB the lead. 

Argentina started the second quarter on the front foot and Maria Granatto started to create some chances in the GB circle. First from a powerful run after 18 minutes, which GB defended scrambling the ball clear and then she earned a penalty corner after being fouled on the ball as she tried to find the space to shoot.  Miriam Pritchard in goal for GB saved the penalty corner drag flick with an outstretched left kicker. They came close again late in the quarter, another Argentina attack saw the ball played into Jankunas, who turned with her back to goal and hit on the reverse, but a fine save from Pritchard with her raised stick prevented the goal. 0-0 at halftime.

In the third quarter a two minute spell proved decisive for Argentina. A ball into the GB circle from the left went across goal and found Valentina Raposo in space to the right of the penalty spot, she calmly opened her body and deflected the ball into the goal past Pritchard. A minute later another ball played across the GB circle, was deflected by a GB stick and ran to Albertarrio to the left of goal.   She turned onto her reverse stick and fired home from an acute angle under the diving Pritchard.  2-0 to Argentina.

Despite Great Britain’s attempts to get a goal back in the fourth quarter, it was Argentina who made sure of the win their third goal. Another pass into the GB circle reached DIaz on the penalty spot, she span and shot on her reverse.  The superb strike went right into the top left hand corner of the goal to make it 3-0.  GB took Pritchard off with two minutes to go to play with 11 out on pitch but could not create an opening and that was how the scoreline stayed. 

GB women play their quarter final on Monday against the Netherlands, time to be confirmed.

Feeling inspired by the hockey in Paris? Get involved and pick up a stick this summer, there is plenty on offer for you.