The wait is over: the ODESUR Asunción 2022 Games have begun. Carrying great expectations, fan-favorite Argentina opened the men’s category tournament against the team from Uruguay.
Divided into two groups, the men’s team kicked off the Games. Argentina, Uruguay and Peru are all in Group A, while Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile make up Group B.
The women, who start tomorrow, will all face off against each other: Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Chile and the host, Paraguay.
ARGENTINA 17 – URUGUAY 0
It was an auspicious start for the team led by Mariano Ronconi with the “Leones” obtaining their first victory against the “Cimarrones” without difficulty.
The game opened quickly in favor of Argentina, scoring their first goal in the first minute after a great play by young Ignacio Ibarra, who easily left his mark on the rival goal.
The Argentine squad was superior to its Uruguayan counterpart, leaving goalkeeper Hernando Nehuen without much to do in the game.
The game ended with a 17-0 score. The goals were scored by Ignacio Ibarra x 3, Lucas Vila x 3, Juan Catan x 2, Nicolas Acosta, Tobias Martins x 2, Lautaro Ferrero x 3, Bautista Capurro, Santiago Tarazona and Matías Rey.
Only one card was shown in the game; a green one being given to the Argentine player Matías Rey in the last quarter.
The next meeting of the “Leones” will be against Peru on Wednesday, October 5 at 9:30 a.m., while Uruguay will have a bye; closing its participation against Peru also on October 7 at 9:30 a.m.
CHILE 24 - BOLIVIA 0
In the second game of the day, Chile beat Bolivia 24-0.
The superiority of the trans-Andean team was clear from the beginning of the match with Chile opening the score early on. The incredible effectiveness of the Chilean squad widened the difference even more with every passing quarter.
The clearest chance for Bolivia came in the first quarter with a penalty corner that was narrowly missed. The goalkeeper from Chile had an easy game, with practically no participation.
The goals were scored by: Renz Fernando x 2, Rodriguez Martin x 2, Amoroso Juan x 7, Goni Vicente, Hurtado Jose x 2, Contardo Ignacio x 3, Richter Axel x 3, Strabucchi Nils x 3, Rodriguez Martin and Gesswein Kay.
Chile's next match will be against Brazil on Thursday, October 5 at 11:30 a.m., while Bolivia will face the hosts, Paraguay on the same day at 5:00 p.m.
BRASIL 6- PARAGUAY 2
In the most anticipated match host nation Paraguay took on Brazil to close out the first day of competition of the ODESUR 2022 Games.
Although neither of the teams were able to easily assert domination, Brazil capitalized on effective penalty corners. They had only one corner in the first quarter and were able to turn the opportunity into a goal.
In the second half, Brazil extended their advantage and went up 5-nil, although Paraguay was able to score for their side toward the end of the match.
The game ended with a 6-2, a score that could not capture just how hard the teams battled, with two cards for each team.
The goals were scored by: Santos Mateus x 2, Patrocinio Andre, Lopez Joaquin x 2 and Varela Lucas for Brazil and Ruetalo Federico and Rodriguez Junior for the local team.
The next matches will be on Thursday, October 5, when Paraguay meets Bolivia at 5:00 p.m. and Brazil hosts Chile at 11:30 a.m.