Hockey International Friendly-Argentina squad announced

Following GB Hockeys Squad announcement on 27^th November , yesterday we learned that Argentina will make several key changes to their squad for the five friendlies planned between12th and 18^th December in Salta.

Great Britains Head coach , Danny Kerry will take eight young newcomers to the international scene out of a squad of 18 to take on the Argentines, Las Leonas Currently Las Leonas , recent Olympic bronze medallists, are ranked second in the World behind the Dutch , with the Chinese third ,Germany fourth and the Australians one place in front of the Spanish.

I can still picture amazing scenes from the Samsung World Cup , back in 2006 at Madrids Club de Campo, when a significant crowd of Argentine fans created a carnival atmosphere in their corner of the stadium with their infectious passion and enthusiasm and incredible wall of noise in song and support for their national team, drowning out the curiously reserved host nations supporters and the GB squad can expect incredible local Argentine support in Salta and a festival atmosphere at every game.

Current runaway England Prem leaders , Leicester provide an incredible seven players in the squad, underlining their class in depth with debutant ,relative youngsters, Gemma Darrington, Katie Long, Hannah Macleod and Laura Unsworth supported by the multi-capped Crista Cullen, and team mates Chloe Rogers and Rebecca Herbert.

Second in the Prem , newcomers in the Division Reading , provide an impressive five players, in the form of Alex Danson, ex Hightowns Joey Ellis and Katie Walsh (the most GB capped player) along with Emily Maguire (Scotland) and Helen Richardson.. Helen Richardson and Susie Gilbert were recently short listed for World Player of the Year and World Young Player of the Year respectively, by the International Hockey Federation. Hightown , have the experienced Sally Walton in the squad as well and gifted goal keeper Kirsty Mackay. Canterbury provide Natalie Seymour and goalie Abi Walker (Scotland ) and newcomers to the Prems University of Birminghams Susie Gilbert the youngest member of the squad at just 20.Sloughs forward Nicola White makes her first appearance in the GB shirt. For Ellis, Gilbert, Herbert, Richardson, Rogers, Walker and Walsh this will be there second visit to Salta having participated in a previous series of friendlies in 2007

Argentinas coach Carlos brings in La Maga (the Magician), the vastly experienced attacking midfielder Luciana Aymar (250 caps) noted as one of the finest players the game has ever seen. She claimed her fourth FIH World Player of the Year' award in 2007 having previously won the coveted prize in 2001, 2004 and 2005. She is joined by Solidad Garca (167caps), Alejandra Guilla (186 caps), Giselle Kaevsky (65 caps), Rocio Ubeira. Macarena Rodrguez and Mara Jos Fernndez make their international debut for Las Leonas. He leaves out Geraldine Fresco Pisani, Macarena Abente, Pilar Mjico, Beln Zavala and Victoria Zuloaga who were in the squad who took on the USA in their November series of friendlies. Laura Aladro and Belen Succi will share goalkeeping duties.

Games will be evening push backs at the Popeye Baseball Club in Salta capital of its region close to the Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia borders and nestling in the foothills of the Andes , in the beautiful Lerma Valley 1,152 meters above sea level. Thus the GB squad should have plenty of opportunities to relax and do some site seeing in this popular tourist area. The weather here tends to be mild and dry all year round with average temperatures around 16⁰ C.

Squads ( Source- http://www.saltahockey.com.ar )

SCHEDULE (Times in bold are local, times in italics are GMT.)

Saturday 12 December 2009 1930 2230 ARG v GBR

Sunday 13 December 2009 1930 2230 ARG v GBR

Tuesday 15 December 2009 2030 2330 ARG v GBR

Thursday 17 December 2009 2030 2330 ARG v GBR

Friday 18 December 2009 2030 2330 ARG v GBR