| Former World Champions, world ranked #2 Argentina’s Las Leonas recorded the first win in this their third game of their USA series of four games based in the state of Virginia, part of their final preparations for the Olympics. In the same group (B) as the Americans world ranked 10th , for the Olympics it was defeat of Argentina in the finals of the Pan American games this year which gave the USA team Olympic qualification. USA will play Argentina at the Riverbank on the 31st July but start the campaign facing RSA. USA have a tough draw against Germany in their Olympic opener. Prior to this friendly game the Argentine selection drew in their debut game at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville 1-1 and were defeated 2-1 in the second game at ODU ( Old Dominion University Powhatan Stadium, Norfolk)
This time they started off more brightly and all the damage was done by the visitors in the first half at ODU’s Powhatan Stadium in a fruitful ten minute patch with firstly #7 Martina Cavallero opening the score, quickly followed by a penalty corner drag flick conversion at the fifteen minute mark by multi capped defender #27 Noel Barrioneuvo. Noel is now fully recovered from a knee ligament problem which saw her watching from the bench during the recent Invitational Test tournament at London’s Olympic Park Riverbank Arena. That event saw Argentina defeated twice by an on fire GB perhaps missing the effectiveness in burying short corner opportunities with her drag flick specialism. Carla Dupuy taking on GB's Crista Cullen at the Riverbank at the May Invitational test which saw Arghentina crash to GB twice. Two minutes later #9 Carla Dupuy made it three and despite further opportunities for both sides in the second half, the score remained unchanged and a welcome victory in the bag for the Argentine ladies.
Keeper #1 Laura Del Colle Today’s game saw current #1 keeper Laura Del Colle rested and Florence Mutio taking over in nets. After a rest day , the final match will be played on Saturday at the Virginia Beach Sportplex ,National Training Centre and will be televised live on ESPN. The squad will return to the Argentine capital on Monday June 25th to continue their preparations for London. Coach Carlos Retegui has yet to announce his final squad selection for the Olympics and appears to have taken a number of younger relatively inexperienced players to the USA to give them international experience and an opportunity put down their markers for a possible place in his final selection. To this end some famous , experienced names still in the mix for selection were not brought to the states including Rosario Lucetti, Florencia Habif, Delfi Merino, Carla Rebecchi , Silvina D Elia , Josefina Sruoga and Daniela Srouga but notably he included three under 21 squad players ( Leoncitas) Jimena Cedres, Gizelle Juarez and Julia Gomez. In this game he made use of the following :- #31Florence Mutio (GK) #14 Mercedes Margalot, #27 Noel Barrionuevo (c), #2 Julieta Franco, #5 Macarena Rodriguez, #21 Mariela Scarone, #9 Carla Dupuy, #19 Sofia Maccari, #15Roberta Werthein, #7 Martina Cavallero and #Giselle Juarez. Rested were : #1Laura Del Colle GK, #5 Macarena Rodriguez , #6 Julia Gomez Fantasia #20 Jimena Cedres #23 Anna Lopez Basvilbaso #24 Maria Jose Fernandez #26 Gabriela Luena #28 Rocio Gonzalez Canda. In London Carlos Retegui will finally have the inspirational services of seven times World Player of the year, the legend that is #8 Luciana Aymar who has for some considerable time been freed from all international competitive duties in the run up to London and who has been following a separate training regime when the squad have been abroad playing test games and major competitions although she is training full on with the team at CENARD . Recently Luciana was elected to be the flag bearer at the opening ceremony an honour which reflects her status as the hugely popular and widely respected leading sports celebrity in her home country. She is expected to retire from the international game after the Olympics.
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