Argentina survive scare, beat China 3-2 in Azlan Shah hockey

Ipoh, Malaysia, May 7 (UNI) Argentina were given a scare by China before prevailing over them 3-2 in a hotly contested Group A match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey here today.

It was the second win for the South Americans in the eight-nation tourney and with six points to their kitty they are now in the pole position to make it to the semi-finals. Yesterday, they had beaten Australia 1-0.

The Argentines now need a draw against India in their last match on Wednesday to book a last four berth. That result would put the Indians out of reckoning unless China do them a favour by beating Australia.

Skipper Rodrigo Villa put the Argentines ahead in the 14th minute but the Chinese were equal to the task by finding the equliser in the 26th minute through Liu Xian Tang.

Rodrigo Villa found the target for the second time in the 33rd minute as Argentina led 2-1 at the breather.

The second half saw the Chinese staging a tremendous fight back and restored parity in the 59th minute through skipper Song Yi from a penalty corner direct flick.

The Argentines, however, withstood the Chinese attack and in turn found ample space along the flanks in quick counter attacks to break through the Chinese striking zone and in the 64th minute Lucas Villa was on hand to slot home from close range (3-2).

Argentine coach Sergio Vigil later gave a guarded response to his side's chances for a last four berth saying that the match against India on Wednesday would decide the issue.

''We are not in the semis yet at this moment. There is still one more match against India and that is the crucial one. We need to take a point from that match.

''Today I'm happy on two counts. First we managed to play as a unit and transfer the ball well. The second is that the Chinese gave us a fight which allowed us to learn more about their game. They showed good skills and will be hard team to beat in future,'' he said.

Vigil also said the Chinese had shown vast improvement since he last saw them at the World Cup qualifiers in Changzhou in April last year.

''A very much improved side. There is no doubt about that and they will get better. This was a good lesson for us and we are happy to have won,'' he added.

Both teams will take a break tomorrow and wrap up their fixtures on Wednesday when China play their last match against Australia and Argentina take on India.

UNI