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Part 2: Wednesday’s Women’s Field Hockey semi-final day review at Paris 2024: Netherlands also unstoppable v Argentina & China win over Belgium via penalty shootouts

by Sports Benches

Following two unmissable men’s semi-finals matches from Tuesday, more Field Hockey action in Paris 2024 continued last night with the women’s semi-final day at Stade Yves-Du-Manoir stadium. One was the Netherlands v Argentina and the other involving Belgium v China as the two winning teams will be set for Friday afternoon’s/Saturday AM gold medal match while the two losing sides will still get one last chance v each other but this time via the best of 3rd place for bronze.

Like we’ve seen with the men’s Netherlands semi-final performance two days ago v Spain, the women’s Netherlands were also unstoppable including defensively with 2 x first half goals from open play followed by a usual Yibbi Jansen stunner when it comes to scoring goals off penalty corners for the 3rd Dutch goal. Despite an improved Argentina ball during the 2nd half, the Netherlands at least ensured they left the game without any Argentina goals 3-0.

Looking at Argentina, they did have some fair share of chances following their improved 2nd half play as no doubt they have been a serious side on a regular basis including this tournament. But again, Argentina’s poor start alongside the execution unfortunately didn’t help them that much, especially when going up against one of the best attacking sides in none other than the Netherlands. Their breakthrough chance for gold after a few shortcomings will have to wait in LA 2028.

And to finish off the women’s semi-final day was a cracking physical encounter between Belgium and China that went down the wire following a 1-1 draw after an hour of normal time via penalty shootouts. China had the early lead off a penalty corner when both teams were scoreless during the first 15 mins & they held that 1-0 advantage for the most part until Belgium scored the equaliser also from a penalty corner with two minutes to go before the match had to be decided via penalties since it’s a knockout semi-final.

Fortunately for China, they found a way once more to book themselves a gold medal spot v Netherlands come Friday/Saturday AM with the 3-2 penalties win that marked a reunion for coach former Hockeyroo Alyson Annan, who used to coach the women’s Netherlands side for so long, even though she lives there and also as a naturalised citizen these days alongside her Dutch partner Carole Thate. Wow!! Great game from both teams by the way when Belgium found themselves back in the game off the back of their good defense and the way they’ve pressed China in the 2nd half until these two missing penalty shots that forced China’s hand and China had a really good match once again that can break anyone team’s hearts as their journey isn’t over just yet on what is about to be their biggest test yet against someone Annan knows so well in none other than the Netherlands. The last time China made the Olympics final was back in Beijing 2008 where they were runner-up to the Netherlands 2-0 as Alyson has the Dutch tactics and know-how to help engineer her Chinese players home for gold.

We now got a London 2012 men’s (Holland v Germany) and Beijing 2008 women’s gold medal (Holland v China) rematches coming our way where this could end up either way going into Tomorrow & Saturday AM our time. Will we see a Dutch triumph this time that could extend that glory to their women’s team or else see Germany and China get their own breakthroughs instead against a team that is so hard to beat right now? We shall see before Paris 2024 finishes this weekend.

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Olympics Soccer News: An early Jean-Phillipe Mateta header strike off a corner enough to send host France into the semi-final v Egypt after a 1-0 win over Argentina in Marseille

by Sports Benches

We also had a rematch of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final this time at an Olympics soccer match between France and Argentina at Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

This time, the one and only early header off a corner by Crystal Palace No.9 Jean Phillipe-Mateta was enough to see off Argentina the whole way through for France thanks to a series of Argentinian missed opportunities with the 1-0 win. Now the host nation will take on Egypt on Tuesday morning at 5am AEST whose next opponents got away with the win earlier today v Paraguay via penalties 5-4 when both teams settled the score 1-1 after a long 120 minutes of open time.

Disappointing from Argentina with the loss despite having lots of ball there to try and kick out France of the Men’s Olympic soccer tournament. But then they kept on hitting and missing these shots on goal that gave the French keeper a sigh of relief time and time again, which was unfortunately not good enough at the end of the day following their last 8 exit. They might have made the knockout stages for the first time since their gold medal run back in 2008 in Beijing but they will have to wait four years if Argentina wants it back that could be 20 years since their last Olympics soccer triumph come LA in 2028.

And well done to France on what has been a magnificent win v Argentina on home soil with unfinished business by their head coach Thierry Henry. Love seeing Phillipe-Mateta sprint on time for that header where he’s so lethal in all fronts that a No.9 should do as proven in the Premier League for Crystal Palace. Yes, there’s nothing the French can do when their second goal was ruled out by VAR.  But despite not having much ball opportunities, the French were fortunate enough to escape the Argentinians unscathed with the 1-0 win. Now they’ve yet to have played in Paris so far but it looks like France will need their full support on Monday night over there in Lyon, so they can hopefully finish off a high v the winner of Morocco or Spain.

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Olympics News: The Aussie Men’s Rugby 7s team on a roll to the medal semis after their wins v Argentina to top the group stage followed by an easy last eight win v USA

by Sports Benches

Can you believe it? The Aussie Men’s 7s team had another excellent field day on the road towards gold in the Men’s Olympic program. Not only they topped their Group stage undefeated off the back of a decent win v Argentina but they were also too good v Team USA in the last 8 with the medal semis to pick up tomorrow v Fiji. Now we need our Aussie supporters and for those currently in Paris to go to Stade De France this Saturday by cheering them up for the green & gold!!

Now that last group stage game was a bit challenging with the fast starts which is something they need to improve on, especially when going up against the top notch teams as always. But they’ve still done it though where they’ve bossed the pitch by expanding their attack through the wide areas on what has been a team-led effort against Argentina, 14-22.

Then as said above during the medal Quarter-Finals, we saw another team-led effort off the back of some amazing finishing tries from several players this time v Team USA 18-0.

No doubt they will be coming back hungry with a point to prove v gold medallists Fiji this weekend such as Henry Hutchinson, James Turner & ACT Brumbies regular Corey Toole. Then we can dream in order for the Aussies to get over the line should they make it for the Gold Medal match v either France or South Africa. They’ve came from a long way so far & hope they can replicate the success that the women’s team has done in this 7s format.  

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Copa America 2024: Argentina conquers America once again

by Admin

In an arduous and fiercely contested match, typical of Copa America, Argentina was crowned champions once again, courtesy of Lautaro Martinez’s decisive goal in overtime.

Led by Lionel Scaloni, the reigning champions of America and the world, Argentina aimed to replicate the same triumph they did in 2021 when they beat bitter rivals Brazil in the final and hoisting the Copa America trophy at Maracanã.

This time around, Colombia, led by the forgotten man James Rodriguez, came to the final undefeated, driven to secure only its second continental trophy in history. Under the impressive direction of Argentine manager Nestor Lorenzo, Los Cafeteros, were aiming to shock the world in Miami.

After an unexpected delay of over an hour, caused by the disturbance outside the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium, the match kicked off with La Scaloneta – as the Argentinian team is known – going after the Colombia teams.

Just under a minute into the match, Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez took a shot inside the box at goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, but the ball narrowly missed the corner.

The Colombian team quickly ensure to dispel any notions that they would be intimidated by it, as they steadily up their lines, applied firm pressure on the Argentina defense, and through the pressure managed to steal the ball from the defenders, creating their first scoring opportunities.

In a brave performance by Nestor Lorenzo’s team, Colombia absolutely took command of the match in the initial 20 minutes, forcing Emi Martinez to work twice during this time.

Colombia absolutely dominated the first half, with James Rodriguez creating chances through the middle, Jhon Córdoba hitting the post with a short-range effort and defender Carlos Cuesta drawing a fine save from Dibu Martinez in a header inside the box.

Argentina struggled to find their footing on the pitch. After Lionel Messi got injured in the 37th minute, it felt like the Argentine team was desperately crying for the half. No changes on the first eleven for the second half for Scaloni, but a change in posture from Argentina was necessary.

A change in posture came in a rather topsy-turvy manner. To start the second half, Argentina started lifting balls into the penalty area, thus lifting their fans together.

However, In the 66th minute, Argentina suffered a big blow, Lionel Messi went off with an apparent ankle injury. Sat on the bench, tears streaming down his face, as he held an ice bag to his right foot, felt like this might be the last image of Messi with the Albiceleste.

A horrid second half, little to no creativity by both teams. By the 80th minutes, it was evident that neither team was willing to take any chances.

So, we went to overtime in Miami. Through an intense first half of overtime, both teams appeared to be exhausted, but what was striking was the high-paced South American style of play. When Juan Fernando Quintero entered the match; Colombia had a surge in physical vitality and creativity.

Scaloni answered with Lautaro Martínez, who made a fierce entrance and ultimately scored in the 112 minute to give Argentina the trophy.

The win over Colombia secured Argentina’s 16th continental trophy, surpassing Uruguay and establishing them as the most successful team in the tournament’s history. Lionel Scaloni once again leads Argentina to a championship, yet the spotlight also shines on Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María who might have done their last game ever with the national team.

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Copa America 2024: Argentina now through to Sunday’s Final after a 2-0 win v Canada

by Sports Benches

We all love the joy of witnessing these fairy tale moments such as Canada who made it as far as the semis off the back of a undefeated performances bar the opening round defeat v Argentina including that Quarter-Final win the other day v Venezuela via penalties. However, facing a top side like the Argentinians again were never easy indeed with the likes of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez following a 2-0 semi-finals loss earlier this afternoon at MetLife Stadium in New York. Although Canada’s unreal Copa America run isn’t over just yet with a third-place Playoff match coming up this weekend against the loser of the 2nd semi-final match as we turn our attention to Colombia v Uruguay in Charlotte, NC tomorrow morning.

First of all, Canada weren’t bad for the most part defensively other than a couple of mis-timed tackles and passes that led to two Argentina goals where it could’ve been 0-0 to give themselves a lifeline like another 30 mins of extra time and maybe penalty shootouts or even a successful goal or two would do it to stop Argentina from bothering them. They did have a couple of late chances though to try and hold back Argentina but then there was very little time left against the clock unfortunately as the game well and truly belongs to the Defending Champions. As said, they had a spectacular run as being the best North American side in this competition across the Americas & sure Canada will keep on grinding towards regular silverware like the future CONCACAF Gold Cup editions sooner rather than later. But it’s all about South America for now when Canada is now out of the tournament with three nations left in the running that will become two in less than 24 hours time.

Meanwhile, it’s great to see Argentina advance to the Final once again following an easy 2-0 win v Canada having dominated the pitch for most of the game. Yes, they could’ve done a bit better as if Argentina was using this semi as a practice match for the Final as no opponent will ever them a free run. However, they did profit the defensive errors Canada couldn’t capitalise at their own end where Argentina successfully found the net on both occasions by Alvarez and Messi before the clock ticks down ahead of full-time & Argentina are now step closer towards hopefully winning their record 16th title. At the moment, Argentina currently have 15 titles which is tied with potential finalists Uruguay who might be there to spoil their championship-winning celebrations come Sunday & maybe be the most successful team in Copa America history – if Uruguay can beat Colombia in the other semi tomorrow. Regardless of what happens, Argentina wouldn’t mind to come up against anyone whether if it’s Uruguay or Colombia as long as they can get the job done with goals to win them yet another trophy.

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Argentina’s record 16th Copa America chase continues following a brilliant finish with the Quarter-Finals win via penalties v Ecuador

by Sports Benches

July 4 may have taken place today in the US but that doesn’t mean soccer can’t be played without them when Copa America began the knockout stages in the first of the four Quarter-Finals at the same time between Argentina v Ecuador at NRG Stadium in Texas. It was almost a quiet game for a start when Argentina took the early lead off a successful in the first 45 minutes where they led 1-0 before Ecuador gave themselves a lifeline that held them back a bit longer thanks to substitute left winger Keven Rodriguez just minutes towards the end of normal time (90 mins) as this match isn’t over just yet.

Although both teams were unable to break the equaliser over the next extra half-hour, but at the end of the day, one winner has to advance into the semis while the other will have to pack their bags back home early. The winner belongs to Argentina following a 4-2 penalty win where their supporters went wild while they got the share with the Americans on their birthday as a whole nation. Now Argentina’s US tour continues to New Jersey now at MetLife Stadium in five days time (Wednesday 10AM AEST) – the home of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final as it will either be Venezuela or Canada now in Quarter-Final match No.2 where one of them will go on to take on Argentina come tomorrow 10 AM also within Texas but this time at AT&T Stadium.

Heartbreak for Ecuador where they were so fortunate enough to keep the game alive until the very end but there were a few missed opportunities that could’ve seen them advance into the semis instead of the Argentineans. Yes, they weren’t bad to get the ball rolling but it was simply their poor executions that came back to bit them such as that back-to-back mis-timed shots on goal including that early 2nd half penalty before more & more of these hit and misses made it so easy for Argentina to put the ball away from the in-goal at the sudden death shootout – which ultimately confirmed their elimination from the last 8 yet again over their last 3 out of 4 campaigns. It would’ve been about three decades now since their last semi-final there on home soil back in 1993 if they did win v Argentina as Ecuador will have to try again next time for the next Copa America in 2028.

Meanwhile, congratulations to Argentina with the brilliant win after they escaped the threat of Ecuador unscathed via penalties. Great to hear they’ve got the lead early while trying to hold out until at least the end of normal time (90 mins or 100 mins you would like to call it these days) for the win but then those plans were held back by Ecuador last minute when Argentina could’ve done better to cash in on the opposition’s hit and miss attempts such as scoring 2-0 or 3-0 in order to give themselves a bit of an early mark ahead of the semis. But they’ve did well however to bring this game to a close where Argentina was always good to in penalties like we’ve seen in the past – such as their 3rd World Cup trophy after a long 36 years (1986) wait two years ago v 2 x champions France in Qatar. Now with Lionel Messi sticking around for a bit longer following his post-World Cup triumph pledge, let’s see if Argentina will go one step closer once again to try & defend their crown from 2021 for the record 16th time as this next contest wouldn’t be that difficult either way en route to the Final.

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Copa America 2024: Argentina def. Canada off the back of a strong 2nd half showing up front at Atlanta’s Mercedes Benz Stadium

by Sports Benches

The 2024 Copa America tournament has just started today with Argentina v Canada and yes, it’s been scrappy and quiet for the most part where there were a series of hit and misses that led into a scoreless 45 mins of play. But it’s still Argentina with the 2-0 win over the Canadians to kickstart Group A off the back of two 2nd half goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez. They will both be back for the 2nd week all on Tuesday where Canada take on Peru while Argentina v Chile.

Well played by the defending champs who turned things around well after the half-time break including some good use of the subs that helped gave them the 2nd goal that late to close out the match. Credit to the frontline being active all along to give the defenders a difficult time where Argentina eventually found a breakthrough. Yes, they gotta improve their first 45 when things couldn’t go their way despite having a lot of ball. But it’s better if they finish things knowing they can find the net at the right time rather than being a bit hesitant by just shooting for it and hope for the best. Meanwhile, Canada were relieved to get away from the Argentinian fast start earlier on while they made two early chances of their own to try and bag a goal. But not only they lack numbers to bring it home particularly when looking to go inside the box, their poor possession throughout the 2nd half was just too difficult to stop the Argentineans in the end. I know it’s not the easiest of starts but an unexpected lead with 1-2 early goals if Canada did score would’ve gave themselves up some confidence to try & shut them down.

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2023-24 FIH Pro League, Hockeyroos crash out once again this time 5-0 while the Kookaburras lost their way after an early 1-0 lead to a 2-1 loss both by the Argentineans

by Sports Benches

It’s been another rough day in the office for both of our Australian men’s and women’s hockey teams in Antwerp, Belgium this time at the hands of Argentina. The men despite a great start earlier on from Tim Brand was run down off the back of the opposition’s 2-0 comeback from behind during the 3rd quarter before they were held back 2-1 in the end. Then the women were unable to grasp out of the second-best ranked team with hit and misses and also defensive gaps falling anywhere and everywhere even though they were 1-0 down at half-time in the hope of a good turnaround, having also been bitterly bruised 5-0 thanks to an excellent Argentinean 2nd half counter-attack including their dominant possession & winning penalties.

Gotta say too much ill-discipline and not enough possession when creating the best chances with the ball has crippled the Hockeyroos so much when the backline including the goalkeeper worked so hard to stop the Argentineans from its tracks which wasn’t oh so easy. We thought being 1-0 down is better than nothing so they can turn things around in order to bridge the other end that would hopefully bring some confidence to close things out their way but nothing much has changed unfortunately when the Argentineans had greater control of the ball from here that restricted the best out of our attack.

As said with the men, great start by the Kookaburras with the quick counter-attacking finish where there were some good numbers to give Tim Brand the finishing touches he needs for the early lead while toning the opposition play down that puts them in front at half-time 1-0. However, they just couldn’t build on when trying to get past a robust Argentinean defense including some hit and misses before it eventually came back to haunt them, particularly during the 3rd quarter. Their momentum just isn’t the same as it was earlier on when there less opportunities towards shots on target while witnessing the Argentinans rebound by ripping up their own backline with numbers clearly shown to snatch the lead & then shut it down including another set of lost penalties & ill-discipline that consigned them to yet another loss against another top-notch side.

The Hockeyroos will have a rest day today with the Kookaburras getting a bit more time before they will both be back in action this weekend. Here’s the following next matches to round off their Belgian mini-tour in Antwerp before turning their attention to Germany and Great Britain to finish off the 2023-24 FIH Pro League season in London, UK sometime next week:

  • Hockeyroos v Argentina again on Saturday night our time with the Kookaburras to follow straight after that v the Argentina Men’s team.
  • Hockeyroos continue on Sunday night our time v Belgium again; same with the Kookaburras v Belgium once more straight after that in the early hours of Monday morning our time.
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Today’s Tennis Match, Jannik Sinner too good for Sebastian Baez in straight sets during the 3R at Margaret Court Arena

by Sports Benches

World No.4 Italian Jannik Sinner is on a roll this afternoon at Margaret Court Arena following a straight sets win v Sebastian Baez from Argentina. He was too good in the opening two sets & although Baez finally got the ball rolling on time that late in such a huge task to try & hang in there, but Sinner took his time well to bring it home with the win 6-0, 6-1 & 6-3. The Davis Cup team winning player for Team Italy will now face either Tomáš Macháč (Czech Republic) or Karen Khachanov (Russia) for the fourth round this Sunday.

It’s been a great run where this is the second time that Baez has played in the third round after the 2023 US Open but his time was over so fast against such a tremendous player. Like how he fought back in the third set with some good shots to slow Sinner down. But then he was so behind unfortunately for most of the time as there’s nothing he can do about it other than looking to move on next time. He’s ranked 26th right now at age 23 who might not be the tallest but has great ability to unpack things along the way where a great ATP Tour season would see him challenge beyond the third round. And yes, what a player he is from Sinner who is enjoying the Tennis of his life at the moment. He was simply too good over the first two sets over an opponent being so much shorter than him before he took his time a bit longer well against an alert & ready Baez in the third set with a great way to wrap it up in just under two hours of play. Aside from the 2023 Davis Cup team win for Italy, he only made the semi-final last year at Wimbledon but only made the last 8 at Melbourne Park once back in 2022. So he has plenty to prove as his Davis Cup heroics can help springboard his way into something special & win a grand slam from there – same goes to our Aussie own Alex De Minaur who also did well in the Davis Cup and he’s currently ranked World No.10.

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Tennis News, Stefanos Tsitsipas advances to Round 3 of 2022 Australian Open after a competitive R2 match-up today v Argentine Sebastian Baez at Margaret Court Arena

by Sports Benches

Another decent match-up we’ve just seen on the 4th Day of the 2022 Australian Open as Stefanos Tsitsipas went from the opening set down to the next three sets nailed down against Argentine Sebastian Baez at Margaret Court Arena, he will wait for either Grigor Dimitrov from Bulgaria or Frenchman Benoit Paire as his next opponent for Round 3.

Final Score: 6-7 via 1-7 tiebreaker, 7-6 via 7-5 tiebreaker, 3-6, 4-6

Unlucky from Baez with the loss where he fired off well with the narrow 1st set lead via the tiebreaker, although he never gave up continuing that fight having won some games back along the way but just couldn’t hold back an elite opponent from the Top 5 like Tsitsipas in the end. He will leave Melbourne Park with room for improvement whenever Baez plats next time, but at least he just pocketed over $100,000 prize money after his 1st career Grand Slam win from the previous round v Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

And how good is Tsitsipas, who terrifically completed this match-up, as he came out from the 1st set loss & tied Baez 1-1 through another tiebreak through the wire before the Greek managed to renew his momentum through the 2nd half run in Sets 3 & 4 that became his turning point towards the homestretch.

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