Chinese women's team won the opening match 3-0 over
Argentina?in Beijing?Wednesday at the "Good Luck Beijing"
2007 International Hockey Tournament.
Chinese players overwhelmed their rivals in most part of the
match. Defender Ma Yibo scored the first goal at the ninth minute
with a penalty stroke, and consolidated the lead with a 41st minute
penalty corner.
Forward Tang Chunling sealed the win at the 59th minute.
"We have young players on the middle field to ensure a fast and
dynamic match," said China's South Korean coach Kim Changback. He
said the team will seek new tactics and gain more penalty corners
in later competitions.
"The systematic trainings we had before the match surely paid
off," said China's main scorer Ma, adding that some of Argentina's
best players were absent from today's lineup, which also "gave us
some advantages."
Argentina's captain Aicega Magdalena admitted she was
unsatisfied with the result but she believed her team will stage
better performance later at the tournament.
"The Chinese players capitalized on our defensive mistakes and
pierced through to score the goals," said coach Minadeo
Gabriel.
He added that the weather difference and the jet lag also
factored the failure. "Two days ago we were in winter back at home
but Beijing is now in hot summer," he said.
Aicega Magdalena said she was impressed by the pitch and
stadium. "I am looking forward to playing the match here next
year," she said.
Her coach agreed, adding that he was very satisfied with the
food and accommodation, but only one regret. "There's no Argentina
kebab here, I missed it a lot," he said.
China's coach Kim Changback felt happy with a little pressure as
the team's victory marked the one-year countdown of 2008 Olympics
on August 8."
We will try our best to prepare for the Olympics, that's what it
really matters," he said.
The Chinese women's team lost to Argentina at 0-1 at the Athens
Olympics in 2004.
The match is among a series of trials named "Good Luck Beijing"
as a warm-up to the 2008 Olympics to assess the transportation
systems, technology and logistics.
(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2007)