Argentina, the Olympic champion, with strong begging

MEN Pool B: Argentina vs. United States (6-0)

The Olympic champion is back. Argentina started the Pan American Cup with a great victory over the host, United States, and made clear that it wants to take over the Cup 2017 edition. Matías Paredes and Gonzalo Merino (two each), Gonzalo Peillat and Juan Gilardi scored for the Argentinians.

Eleven players from the team who got over Belgium and won the historic gold medal for Argentina are here in Spooky Nook in Lancaster, playing this tournament, including Agustín Mazzilli, Ignacio Ortiz, Gonzalo Peillat and Pedro Ibarra, who scored In that epic Olympic final.

The match of the night began with slow actions on both sides, with long touches, and constant changes seeking spaces. Argentina started the second quarter with an excellent collective combination of passes between Ignacio Ortiz, Lucas Vila and Matías Paredes ended with their first goal.

With the 1-0, the Argentina team began to move. 21 'Matías Paredes assisted Gonzalo Peillat with a penalty corner who took a powerful shot that got between goalkeeper Brandon Karess and defender Aki Kaeppeler.

The United States did not assimilate the 0-2 at home, when at 25 'in a quick move, Gonzalo Merino increased the count with a powerful cross back shot. One minute from the end of the first period, Matías Paredes got the fourth goal by pushing a long shot by Juan Gilardi who crossed the entire American area.

Juan Gilardi was in charge of putting the 5-0 in the minute 50. He executed an impeccable penalty, mid-height and center leaving no option to Karess (USA Goalkeeper). The last goal came in the final minute by Gonzalo Merino, who turned the ball around after Joaquin Menini shot. 

The United States did their best and respected Argentina’s team a lot, so much that they choose to care for their backs rather than to attack. Clear it was when Tyler Sundeen was suddenly left alone against Agustín Abratte, and he didn’t know how to solve the attack.

Great victory for Argentina who takes the leader position of Group A next to Chile, both with a victories and equal difference of goals (+6).

Pan American Cup men’s pool-round play continues on Aug. 6 with Pool B match ups between Canada and Brazil (10:00), Trinidad and Tobago vs Mexico (12:00) and Pool A match ups Chile vs Argentina (17:00) and Usa vs Venezuela (19:00). Tomorrow, Aug. 5, the women’s matches begin with Canada vs Brazil (12:00), Argentina vs Chile (17:00) and USA vs Mexico (19:00).

All matches are streamed live via USA Field Hockey here and you can stay connected on facebook, Instagram and twitter @panamhockey or online at panamhockey.org.