AMSTERDAM: Argentina and Germany squeezed past England and New Zealand respectively by a single goal, Netherlands demolished Australia 3-0 and China drew 2-2 with South Korea on the first day of the women's Champions Trophy field hockey here Saturday. It took the magic of Luciana Aymar to secure Argentina's win. Aymar, seven-time international player of the year in her record-making 13th Champions Trophy appearance, burst through England's defense and drove a backstick shot from the left into the right of goal. Carlos Retegui, Argentina coach, was enraptured by Aymar's return to the team after a 6-month layoff on vacation away from hockey. “She is to hockey what Ayton Senna, Tiger Woods and Maradona are to their sports except that she is better because she always plays well,” Retegui said. Netherlands outplayed Australia in all departments to seal a decisive 3-0 win. Netherlands captain Maartje Paumen converted Netherlands first penalty corner, high into the right of goal followed by a field goal to Lidewij Welten in the first half. Wieke Dijkstra scored with a backstick drive late in the match. Germany squeezed past New Zealand with a single penalty corner conversion by Julia Mueller late in the first half. – Agence France
