Netherlands beat Argentina 1-0, lift women's champions trophy

Quilmes, Argentina, Jan 22 (UNI) Playing tactical hockey, the Netherlands overcame a lacklustre Argentina by a solitary goal to lift the women's Champions Trophy here.

A third minute penalty corner conversion by Maartje Paumen was enough for the world champions to win the six-nation elite tournament for the fifth time. They had earlier won the 1987, 2000, 2004 and 2005 editions.

The win in the summit clash also meant the Dutch maintained their clean slate in the tournament.

Olympic champions Germany then surprised Australia 2-0 to take the bronze.

Argentina had better ball possession throughout and even dominated the second session, but mistakes in the field passes and lack of clinical finish meant the Las Leonas disappointed the vociferous home crowd and frittered away the chance to lift the Trophy for the second time, having earlier won in 2001.

The Dutch, on the other hand, played a disciplined, tactical and efficient game.

In the second half, Argentina was in attacking mode several times only to hit the Dutch defence like a wall. Ten minutes from the end, the Dutch changed gears and showed some offensive action, but to no avail.

In the bronze medal match, Germany produced a much improved performance to spring a surprise over a tired-looking world cup silver medallists Australia.

The inexperienced Germans dominated throughout the match while Australia suffered from too many mistakes and had difficulty to mount convincing attack or string together more than a few passes.

Janine Beermann put the Germans ahead in the ninth minute and Silja Lorenzen rounded off the tally, deflecting a great pass into the goal in the 51st minute to dash Australia's hope of returning with a medal.

Meanwhile, Spain were relegated from the next edition of the tournament after losing 0-2 to debutant Japan in the fifth place play-off, with Rika Komazawa (48th and 57th minutes) scoring a brace for the winners.

UNI