Argentina edge past Britain for second win

Sydney: Playing in her last international tournament before retiring to get married, Argentine forward Vanina Oneto has her sights set firmly on a golden Olympic finale.

The diminutive 27-year-old laid on her team's only goal for captain Karina Masotta and made a number of incisive runs into the circle as Argentina beat Britain to record their second win in two starts in Pool 'A' of the Sydney Games women's hockey.

While Masotta's 150th international goal in the 14th minute was enough to earn Argentina the three points in a close-fought match, the margin would have been greater if not for some excellent work by British keeper Hilary Rose.

Twice in the second half Rose blocked powerful reverse stick shots from Luciana Aymar, another central figure in the Argentine victory.

The loss capped a black day for Britain, whose men's team was hammered 8-1 earlier by Pakistan.

In a Pool 'B' women's match, New Zealand used the speed of captain Kylie Foy and strikers Mandy Smith and Kate Trolove to outgun China 2-0. A searching run by Smith down the right flank set up New Zealand's opening goal for Trolove, and she was involved again three minutes into the second half as Tina Bell-Kake stretched the lead.

Smith sent the ball in to Anna Lawrence, who won a penalty corner from which Bell-Kake converted. China had nine penalty corners to New Zealand's two, but their inexperience told as a number of push-ins were notstopped effectively.

Fresh from saving a penalty stroke in a 1-1 draw with Germany, goal-keeper Helen Clarke was again rock solid, as was Rachel Petrie.

New Zealand meet reigning Champions trophy holders the Netherlands in their next match on Wednesday, while China tackle Germany.



(c) Reuters Limited.