Kiwis hold Germany, Argentina stun South Korea

Sydney: Kiwi goal-keeper Helen Clarke saved a penalty as New Zealand held the powerful German team to a 1-1 draw in the opening Pool D women's Olympic hockey clash on Saturday.

With the scores locked at 0-0 in the 53rd minute, Clarke blocked a penalty strike from Britta Becker, giving her team the impetus to claim their first point ever in Olympic hockey competition.

''I had done a bit of research on Britta, and I knew her preferred stroke was to my top right of the net,'' Clarke said.

''I tried to play a few mind games by looking around at the crowd and making her wait to take the shot.

''I had an inkling that was the way she was going and I got the ball in my stick hand.''

Although Heike Laetzsch gave Germany the lead three minutes later after a well-worked short corner variation, Clarke's save had done wonders for the Kiwis' spirit and they finished the stronger.

Striker Mandy Smith capped a fine game with a goal from a penalty corner three minutes from full time, ensuring New Zealand took a valuable point from their opening match.

New Zealand have proved a bogey team for Germany in 2000, beating them in Osaka and holding them to a draw at the Champions Trophy tournament in The Netherlands.

''It says a lot for the character of this team that we were able to come back from 1-0 down,'' said New Zealand captain Kylie Foy.

New Zealand tackle China in their next match on Monday, while Germany meets South Africa on Sunday.

In the Pool C women's match, Argentine captain Karina Masotta scored the first goal of the Sydney Games as the impressive South Americans fought back from 2-1 down at halftime to defeat Atlanta silver medalists South Korea 3-2.

Masotta's cracking shot in the ninth minute gave Argentina the ideal start, but South Korea hit back strongly through a Mi-Kyung Shin field goal and Bo-Ra Cho's penalty corner strike.

In the second half it was Masotta who again came to the fore for Argentina, unleashing a brilliant run to set up the equaliser for Luciana Aymar in the 44th minute.

Making her debut in Olympic competition, 23-year-old Aymar dedicated the goal to her sister, who was celebrating her birthday.

Three minutes from full time, Masotta stormed out of defence again, passing to Vanina Oneto to set up Jorgelina Rimoldi for the match winner.

The win gives Argentina the impetus to build on their impressive fourth place at this year's Champions Trophy, while South Korea must get back on track in Sunday's clash with Spain if they are to revisit the heady days of Atlanta four years ago.



(c) Reuters Limited.