German, Argentina advance in Champions Trophy

SYDNEY (AFP) - Germany scored two late goals for a 3-2 win over China while Argentina defeated England 3-1 at the women's field hockey Champions Trophy here Wednesday. China led twice only to be run down by two goals from Germany in the last six minutes. The Chinese scored first, with Fu Baorong collecting a pass across goal from the right to net from two metres out near the left post. Janine Beermann equalised for Germany with an individual run along the left baseline to flick over China goalkeeper Zhang Yimeng from close range with Katharina Otte also there to help get the last touch into goal. Ma Yibo converted China's second penalty corner, firing a powerful flick inside the left post at shoulder height. Germany's late goals came from Julia Muller driving in their second penalty corner, a variation from the striking battery to drive across Zhang from the right into the left of goal to equalise at 2-2. Eileen Hoffman created the winner, carving along the left sideline to fire a shot across goal for Otte to score unchallenged at the right post. China coach Kim Sang-Ryul blamed two poor decisions by China for the loss. "I have told the team to be aware of the dangers of the penalty corner variation and to stay alert but they did not listen today," Kim said. "Yibo Ma made a poor decision which resulted in a penalty corner from which Germany scored so it is these two poor decisions which let China down," Kim said.Germany coach Michael Behrmann said both teams suffered from having a hard game on Tuesday."Both teams were a little bit tired but I felt my team had more experience to handle it," Behrmann said."It is very hard to play China as they are very good on the counter-attack so you have to be very concentrated," Behrmann said. Meanwhile, England scored early against Argentina as they did against Germany and Netherlands on the weekend. Rebecca Herbert deflected in a pass from Chloe Rogers from the right under Argentina goalkeeper Maria Succi. Sole Garcia converted Argentina's first penalty corner at the left post, deflecting in Claudia Burkart's flick from the top of the circle. World player of the year Luciana Aymar scythed through the midfield before the break to lay off a pass in the circle to Carla Rebecchi who drove into goal to the right of England goalkeeper Becky Duggan. Noel Barrionuevo converted Argentina's second penalty corner high into the right top of goal. England had five penalty corners in the last 10 minutes and failed to get a shot on goal as the push out was too slow. Argentina coach Carlos Retegui had a relaxed approach to Thursday's match when they face Olympic gold winners and top world ranked The Netherlands. "It is just a game like every other game and we will go out and show how we enjoy to play hockey," Retegui said. England captain Kate Walsh believes England are making progress towards the European Championships after this tournament. "In general play we are putting the pieces of the puzzle together - making the links between defence and attack as we use this tournament to prepare for the Europeans," Walsh said. The split round ends Thursday when all teams have played four matches: Netherlands meet Argentina and England play Australia.

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