Argentina hold New Zealand 3-3, India out of final contention

Boom, Belgium, June 30 (UNI) Unpredictable Argentina held New Zealand to a 3-3 draw in a pulsating tie to end India's hopes and booked a berth in the final of the Champions Challenge hockey tournament here today.

Leading 2-1 at half time, Argentina scored through Lucas Vila (16th, 68th) and Juan Garreta (27th) while Phillip Burrows (15th) and Hayden Shaw (46th, 70th) finding the target for New Zealand.

With the draw, Argentina finished second behind unbeaten New Zealand with 10 points from three wins, one draw and one loss while New Zealand have collected 11 points from three wins and two draws.

The two sides will clash in the final tomorrow and the winner will qualify for the elite Champions Trophy.

New Zealand opened scoring with Phillip Burrows converting a penalty corner in the 15th minute but Argetina clawed back to stay ahead in the lemon break with two fine field goals from Lucas Vila (16th) and Juan Garreta (27th).

The Blacksticks equalised again against the run of play with Hayden Shaw flicking the ball into the top right corner of the net from a penalty corner in the 46th minute.

The match then produced around 20 minutes of pulsating hockey and Argentina re-establish the lead in the 68th minute with Lucas Vila converting a penalty corner.

Just as the spectators thought the match was over in Argentina's favour, New Zealand got a penalty corner in the last minute and Hayden Shaw converted it to maintain his side's unbeaten record intact.

The draw means that the two matches between India and Japan and England and Belgium will decide who will play whom in the third/fourth and fifth/sixth playoffs.

India have six points, Belgium four and England and Japan three points each.

UNI