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Argentina beat Dutch 3-1 to win hockey World Cup

September 12, 2010 19:30 IST

Carla Rebecchi scored twice as Argentina were crowned women's hockey world champions for the second time on Saturday after beating holders Netherlands 3-1 in the World Cup final.

It was Argentina's third win over the Olympic champions in two months after they twice beat them on their way to retaining the Champions Trophy in Nottingham in July.

Las Leonas (lionesses) also beat the Dutch when they won their first world title in Perth, Australia in 2002.

"We really wanted this title. The girls won all their matches playing with fight, passion and heart," coach Carlos Retegui said on Argentine television.

Argentina's 33-year-old captain Luciana Aymar, six times world Player of the Year and playing the tournament in her home town, said: "This wasn't our best performance but we took our chances and defended with grit."

Argentina made a lightning start and were two goals up inside eight minutes.

Rebecchi scored in the third minute, tapping a cross from the left into an open goal from a metre out with keeper Joyce Stombroek committed after stepping out to face the threat posed by Aymar.

The home side increased their lead with their first penalty corner when specialist Noel Barrionuevo rifled a shot into goal off Stombroek for her sixth of the tournament.

The Dutch, six times world champions, pulled one back 10 minutes into the second half through Maartje Paumen, the tournament's top scorer who took her tally to 12.

Argentina restored their two-goal advantage when Rebecchi volleyed in the loose ball after Stombroek had parried an effort by Soledad Garcia.

Earlier, England beat Germany 2-0 to win the bronze medal, also a repeat of the result for third place in Nottingham.

Alex Danson put England ahead in the 28th minute with a fine reverse-stick shot with her back to goal and laid on the second three minutes later for Helen Richardson to give England their best finish at a World Cup.

Source: REUTERS
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