Argentina heaps further hockey misery on Germany
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Argentina has retained its Olympic women's field hockey bronze medal with a 3-1 win over defending champion Germany.
The South Americans, cheered on by football superstar Diego Maradona in the stands, took a 2-0 lead by the 22nd minute and added a third goal after the break.
Rosario Luchetti scored the opener in the 11th minute and Carla Rebecchi increased the tally, before Anke Kuehn pulled one back for Germany 12 minutes into the second half.
The German girls attacked for the equaliser, but it was Argentina who got its third goal seven minutes before the final whistle when Noel Barrionuevo slammed in a penalty corner.
Germany, which won its maiden Olympic title in Athens four years ago, was relegated to fourth place after being stunned by hosts China in the semi-finals.
China takes on the Netherlands for the gold medal later.
Argentina, which was a strong contender for the title after winning the Champions Trophy ahead of the Olympics, had lost 5-2 to the Dutch in the semi-finals.
-AFP
