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Argentine Girls Stun China 2-1 in Olympic Hockey
Pan American champions Argentina took a giant leap towards their first Olympic women's hockey medal with a 2-1 win over China in the super league in Sydney on Monday.
The Argentine girls, who beat the Netherlands 3-1 on Sunday, fought back after conceding an early lead to record their second successive win in the six-team round.
Argentina, the only team not to carry forward any points from the preliminary round, now have six points and a game in hand against New Zealand on Wednesday.
A win over the Kiwis will ensure Argentina a place in the top four. The first two teams in the super league will clash for the gold medal and the next two for the bronze.
Defending champions Australia and Spain are the other teams in the super league.
China, who drew goalless with Spain on Sunday, went ahead in the sixth minuute when Tang Chunling banged in a penalty corner.
The Chinese maintained the lead till just before half-time when Luciana Aymar deflected in a push from the right to help Argentina draw level.
China paid for wasting seven penalty corners as Augustina Garcia scored Argentina's match-winner in the 52nd minute by swerving past the Chinese goalkeeper to shoot in.
It was Garcia's fourth goal in the competition, making her joint leader with Nikki Hudson of Australia.
"We are thrilled because it was important to take full points in this match," said Argentine coach Sergio Vigil.
"With six points now, we have the cushion we needed for the game against New Zealand. But we won't play for a draw. That could create trouble."
China's Korean coach Kim Chang said his team did not take their chances.
"We dominated the game and should have won by at least three goals," he said. "But the goals never came."
China, who have four points, play Australia in their last match on Wednesday.
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