Nervy win restores Argentina's hopes
BEIJING (Reuters) - Argentina got their campaign for a first women's Olympic hockey gold back on track on Thursday with a nervy 2-1 win over Japan, their first victory in group B.
Three-times champions Australia marched on towards a semi-final spot with a 3-0 victory over South Africa, their third straight win in group A. They share top spot with the Dutch who beat China 1-0 to maintain their 100 percent record.
Defending champions Germany rallied to beat the United States 4-2 for their third straight win. They head group B.
World number two Argentina came into the competition among the favorites after winning the Champions Trophy, but started shakily with back-to-back draws after being 2-0 up against both the United States and Britain.
Argentina again took a 2-0 lead against Japan but this time managed to hold on. Their bad start means they need to win their remaining matches to be sure of a place in the semi-finals.
After a barren first half, Argentina went up early in the second through Alejandra Gulla and consolidated with a penalty corner conversion by Claudia Burkart.
Japan went all out and reduced the lead through a penalty corner by Keiko Miura. Argentina suddenly appeared nervous, in a repeat of their previous two matches.
"I think we are going to hate leading 2-0," said senior Argentine player Mercedes Margalot. "We get crazy, start getting nervous and not playing our game. And that's stupid."
Nicole Hudson became the first woman to play in 300 internationals for Australia and scored their opening goal.
"We did everything (we needed), although we were a bit sloppy in the first half," said the 32-year-old striker, who is playing in her third Games and now wants to keep on going until the 2012 Olympics in London.
"Amazingly enough, coming into this Olympics I thought this will be my last. But the feeling I have, the enjoyment I am getting from my hockey, I am going to be sticking around for another Olympics," said Hudson.
Britain posted their first victory by beating New Zealand 2-1.
"We played well against world number two Argentina, and tonight we played even better," said coach Danny Kerry.
(Editing by Keith Weir and Ralph Gowling)
