Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Argentina seek revenge against Kiwis for dashing Olympic hopes

Argentina have a score to settle with New Zealand today.

The South Americans' hopes of playing in the Beijing Olympics were dashed by the Kiwis in a qualifying tournament in Auckland in February. Argentina won the preliminary round match 3-2 but lost when it counted most –2-3 in the final.

Argentina coach Jose Carlos Retegui said: “We were the favourites to qualify for the Olympics and losing the place to New Zealand was a big blow for us. We want to avenge the defeat tomorrow.”

Argentina have 10 points from four matches and leads the standings on better goal difference than Pakistan. Their final round-robin fixture is against Canada on Saturday and a win over the Kiwis today will seal their place in the final.

Argentina are making their third consecutive appearance in the tournament.

In their debut outing in 2006, they finished seventh in an eight-team tournament and were placed fifth last year.

They now have a team with 16 Europe-based players showing good form.

“Nine of our players feature in the Dutch league, four in Spain and two in Belgium and their presence have definitely boosted our chances of reaching the final,” said Retegui.

The Sultan Azlan tournament is part of the Argentines preparation for the Champions Trophy in Holland next month.

Three-time champions Pakistan should have no problem defeating basement side Belgium today to qualify for the final.

Olympic-bound Pakistan wrap up their round-robin fixtures against India tomorrow.