Men Pool B - New Zealand v Argentina 1-3 (0-0)

A second half hat trick from Gonzalo Peillat gave Argentina victory over New Zealand in a game that was notable for the high standard of defence and possessive play. The result leaves Argentina joint top of the pool with the Netherlands and Peillat as joint top scorer with Belgium's Tom Boon.

Argentina look like a different side from the team that hassled and harried Germany just a few days ago. A disciplined press, composure both in attack and defence, patient moving of the ball around the pitch – in the first half both teams played a similar and evenly-matched game. Even without goals in the first 35 minutes, this was a game that had the hockey aficionado glued to the action. Who would break first? Which defence would be breached?

The highlights of the first half were a Simon Child attempt that hit the post in the 15th minute and a point blank save from Juan Vivaldi just a few minutes later. The attempt by Child saw the forward trap a cross that was fired in, turn and unleash a tomahawk shot that flew past Juan Vivaldi in the Argentina goal and hit the post.

Two minutes later, Vivaldi pulled out a spectacular save as Kane Russell and Jared Panchia carved out a great scoring opportunity with some swift passing. The reaction save from Vivaldi was of the highest quality.

Argentina soaked up Black Sticks pressure in the first half with a well-structured half pitch press and were quick on the counter attack. One of these resulted in a well-taken shot from Lucas Rey which flew past Devon Manchester, but just wide of the New Zealand goal.

The game came alight in the second half as both teams began to work out each other's defensive structure. The first to break through were the Argentinians, as Gonzalo Peillat (44' and 51') scored twice from drag-flick penalty corners. His goals sandwiched a Stephen Jenness goal (49') which was scored after some great work around the circle from Shea McAleese.

The game was put beyond any doubt when Peillat (63') scored his third goal. Again a spectacular drag flick left the Black Sticks defence with no chance of stopping it.

"This was our game plan," said Vivaldi after the match. "We have been working hard on our defence, because if we can build a solid defence and then win some penalty corners, we have one of the best drag-flick specialists in the world."

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