BHUBANESWAR, DEC 6 : World Cup silver medallists the Netherlands produced a fine 3-0 (2-0) win over Argentina in the opening match of Pool B at the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy here today.
The crowded Kalinga Hockey Stadium saw the Netherlands being awarded five penalty corners in the first quarter but only scoring from one occasion. Mink van der Weerden’s drag-flick found the net after 12 minutes, earlier Manu Brunet had saved a van der Weerden push on the line.
Argentina’s Leones also had their chances to score, for instance when Lucas Vila received a running pass from Matias Paredes but could not defeat Pirmin Blaak in the Dutch goal.
The Dutch eventually doubled their lead in the second quarter when Robbert Kemperman (19’), known in Holland as Mr. Backhand, converted a beautiful pass from Sander Baart with a reverse stick strike.
Argentina, who recently surprised by taking the Bronze medal at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup, fought hard to get back into the game but Blaak kept them out.