Argentina 2 defeated Japan 0

Goals: Pedro Ibarra PC 10m, Rodrigo Vila PC 15m

Argentina started into the match looking good, seemingly having recovered well from the weak performance on Sunday that spelt defeat by the Belgians. Japan on the other side came out looking flustered, their game not up to their usual standard.

And so the South Americans opened the scoring early when Pedro Ibarra hit a penalty corner towards the left side of the goal that came deflected off a Japanese defender's stick, leaving goalkeeper Shunsuke Nagaoka without a chance. Only five minutes later, Ibarra had the opportunity to increase his tally but this time, Nagaoka parried well. The ball fell to Rodri Vila however who didn't hesitate to slap it in for the two goal lead.

At this point, it looked like Argentina was going just run away with it, such was their head start, but as time wore on, their superiority decreased continuously while Japan had only just started finding their rhythm. The South Americans still easily maintained their lead up to half time, going into the break at 2-0.

In the second half, Argentina could never regain the confidence and ease of their game of the first 35 minutes, and deteriorated continually. Seeing their opponents showing nerves, Japan' confidence grew and their game improved, yet not quite enough to pose a serious threat to Argentina.

Nerves completely frayed, Argentine captain Mario Almada picked up a wholly unnecessary yellow card less than two minutes from the end, voicing his discontent over an umpire's decision. Argentina were quite happy to hear the horn signal the end of time and will consider themselves lucky to have scored the two early goals that eventually gave them the win.

 

New Zealand 3 defeated England 1

Goals: Hayden Shaw PC 10m PC 48m, Dean Couzins PS 62m; Rob Moore PC 43m

Despite the result that spells three defeats in as many matches for England in this event, the English were worthy opponents for New Zealand today and were unlucky to lose by two goals. In a physical encounter with few goal scoring opportunities on either side, it was Hayden Shaw's penalty corner power that led New Zealand to victory.

Shaw first converted a early penalty corner in the 10th minute which was enough to see his team through to a 1-0 half time lead. After the break, Rob Moore levelled scores, slapping in the second rebound on an English penalty corner, only to have Shaw immediately reply with another rocket like penalty corner flick that went to the top right corner of the goal to get the Kiwis ahead again.

England fought tooth and nail to pull even again but New Zealand held up hold on to their lead. With eight minutes to go, New Zealand then settled the score, Dean Couzins converting a penalty stroke awarded to his team when a Hayden Shaw attempt for the hattrick hit Rob Moore's shoulder.

Two goals down and with the minutes steadily ticking away, England attacked frantically to avoid defeat but to no avail. New Zealand thus maintain a perfect record, while England remain at the bottom of the table, the only team without a win after day 3 here in Boom.

 

India 4 defeated Belgium 1

Goals: Sandeep Singh PC 13m, Prabjhot Singh FG 18m, Shivendra Singh FG 31m, Dilip Tirkey PC 68m; Gregory Gucasoff PC 26m

Hosts Belgium, highly motivated by their unexpected win against Argentina on Sunday, came crashing back to reality today as a spirited Indian team gave them a lesson in the sport.

The Indians came out blazing against a flustered Belgian side, evoking memories of better times, and it was a matter of time until they started scoring. Sandeep Singh put a cracking flick just under the crossbar at a penalty corner, soon followed by goal number two, scored by Prabjhot Singh who coolly took advantage of a ball that Belgian captain Thomas van den Balck failed to control in the circle.

Belgium's new penalty corner superstar Gregory Gucasoff was able to pull one back for his team, sinking another excellent flick, but Shivendra Singh soon restored the lead, scooping in a shot bouncing back from the post. India thus took a comfortable two goal lead into half time, while Belgium needed the break to regroup in the hope of finding their form again.

After the break, Belgium started to look better as the second half wore on and kept India at bay. However, it was not quite enough to get back inot the game and the clock ticked mercilessly ahead, diminishing their chance for success with every passing second. Even an advantage in numbers, when Sunil Yadav picked up a yellow card for a foul on John-John Dohmen could not help the home team, but instead saw them concede the fourth goal of the match as Dilip Tirkey hit a penalty corner past goalkeeper Cedric Degreve.