Carlos Retegui’s Argentina tore Reigning double Olympic Champions into smithereens to enter their maiden and Pan American continent’s first ever Olympic final.
After the United States of America won a fluke bronze in the 3-team Los Angeles Olympic field in 1932, no team from Americas, North or South, ever figured in the semifinals of Men’s Olympics.
With an astonishing 5-2 win over Germany today, the Argentinean men’s team, who always second-fiddled to highly rewarding and popular women’s team.
Argentina’s defining moment has come.
Germany, known in Rio for their acrobatic and magic goals in the dying seconds, had to bow to superior Argentina today at Deodara Park.
Argentina amassed a 5-0 lead in the fourth quarter, and then the coach Altenburg, much like Indian coach Roelant Oltmans did against Belgium, took away Nicolas Jacobi, goalie, and gave the yellow shirt to Haner, defender.
With 13 minutes to score five goals to take the match to extra time Germans played heart out, but the Argentineans would not give up.
A goal from Rhur Christopher and a stroke conversion from captain Mortiz Furste came along, but it was too less.
Barring the Bronze in 1932 by USA, Rio will get Olympic medal, silver at least.
Earlier, a fluent hattrick from penalty corner expert, who plays Netherlands league, just took all sweat out of the Germans
THE SCORING SEQUENCE
PEILLAT Gonzalo 08:25′
PEILLAT Gonzalo 11:53′
PEILLAT Gonzalo 27:59′
MENINI Joaquin 35:20′
VILA Lucas 46:36′
50:39′ FURSTE Moritz
57:39′ RUHR Christopher