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Argentina fight back to beat Belgium in Hockey World League

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IANS New Delhi
Last Updated : Jan 11 2014 | 5:55 PM IST

Argentina posted a 3-2 win over Belgium to keep their unbeaten record in the Hockey World League Final here Saturday.

The Belgian team suffered their second defeat of the tournament.

Argentina, who upset the Netherlands in the opening match Friday, started off well against Belgium.

Facundo Callioni won Lions the first penalty corner of the match but they could not capitalise on it.

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So it was up to Belgian Tom Boon (6th minute) to open the scoring when he smashed the ball into the far corner of the goal. The battle between the two teams continued with the Pan American champions fighting for the equaliser which soon came courtesy of Pedro Ibarra (11th min). On his run towards goal, Ibarra left five Belgium defenders behind to eventually defeat goalie Vincent Vanash with a skilful backhand stroke.

With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, striker Boon (34th min) made another mark when putting Belgium 2-1 ahead. This was his third goal in the competition making him the new tournament top scorer.

Argentina levelled the score to 2-2 in the middle of the second half when completely unmarked Matias Paredes (50th minute) latched onto the ball at the far post to deflect a long pass coming from Juan Martin Lopez into the goal.

Argentina held on to their attacking style taking the lead for the first time in the match when Callioni (61st min) picked up a flick and managed to lift the ball over the Belgian keeper.

Speaking on the back to back win Argentina Coach Carlos Retegui said: "it's a happy moment for us to have defeated both Netherlands and Belgium. We hope to continue this winning streak in our next matches. The boys knew that this is an important match but they did not come under any pressure and kept their cool in the entire game."

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First Published: Jan 11 2014 | 5:48 PM IST

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