World Cup bronze medallists Argentina stunned Olympic champions Germany 3-0 in their concluding Pool B match to end their league engagements in the Hero Champions Trophy hockey tournament, in Bhubaneswar, on a high note.
Following Tuesday’s victory, Argentina ended their pool engagements with six points from two wins, while Germany finished with just three points, courtesy the 1-0 win over India earlier in the tournament.
In the day's other matches, Australia proved too good for Pakistan, winning 3-0, while England came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Belgium and top Pool A.
After a barren first quarter, Argentina scored three field goals through captain Matias Parades (18th minute), Joaquin Manini (25th) and Ignacio Ortiz (49th).
After a lacklustre first quarter, Argentina raised their game and took the lead through Parades.
Argentine drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat then forced German goalkeeper Felix Reuss to make a diving save before Manini continued his impressive show with a brilliant goal to the top corner of the German net after being fed by Parades.
The Germans took the initiative in the third quarter and created a couple of good openings but the Argentine defence thwart any danger to their goal.
Florian Fuchs had a great opportunity to pull one back for Germany but his shot from inside the ‘D’ went across the face of the Argentine goal. Goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi also made some good saves to keep Argentina’s slate clean.
German striker Christopher Wesley wasted two good scoring opportunities in the fourth and final quarter. He first shot wide from close range and then miscued a shot to sum up Germany's disappointing day at office.
Argentina got their third goal in the 49th minute when they caught the German defence off-guard with a brisk counter-attack and Ortiz scored past Reuss to assert their supremacy in the game.
Haywards double gives Australia first victory
Jeremy Hayward's twin strike helped World champions Australia beat Asian Games silver medallist Pakistan 3-0 and register their first victory in Pool A.
The victory hardly made any difference to the final standings, as Australia, with four points from a victory and a draw, finished third in the pool, behind leaders England and second-placed Belgium.
Pakistan’s dismal show continued as they slumped to their third straight defeat in the elite eight-nation tournament.
While Hayward (23rd and 54th minutes) converted two penalty-corners for Australia, Jacob Whetton scored a field goal in the 59th minute.
When Pakistan had the first real scoring chance, Muhammad Arslan Qadir hit the outside of the goal following Muhammad Dilber's great delivery.
After a barren first quarter, Australia finally broke the deadlock when Hayward scored from a penalty-corner rebound.
Thereafter, Australia came close through Chris Ciriello and Whetton but failed to increase their lead.
Simon Orchard was then denied by Pakistan goalie Imran Butt before Matt Gohdes failed to get the ball past the defender on the line with the follow-up.
Trailing, Pakistan started to build attacks in the final quarter in search of the equaliser but could not find the back of the net.
Pakistan's hopes of a comeback were dashed when Hayward flicked home his second from a penalty-corner with seven minutes remaining before Whetton sealed the match for his side 90 seconds from the final hooter.
England rally to hold Belgium and top Pool A
In another match of the day, England came from a goal down to draw 1-1 against Belgium and top Pool A.
England finished atop Pool A with seven points from three games after two wins and a draw, while Belgium ended up in second place with five points by virtue of a victory and two draws.
Belgium scored through Amaury Keusters (9th minute), while England's goal came from the sticks of Iain Lewers in the 48th minute.
England will now play the bottom-placed team of Pool B in the quarter-finals, while Belgium will be up against the third-placed side of Pool B in the next round.
