ROTTERDAM (Netherlands), June 25: Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Gilardi’s second half goal earned a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands to put the South Americans top of the Champions Trophy leader board on Tuesday.

Gilardi slammed a penalty corner conversion low inside the left post with less than a minute to play for Argentina’s first win against the Netherlands in four appearances in this competition.

In other earlier matches, Germany beat South Korea 4-3 and Australia drew 1-1 with Spain.

Argentina coach Carlos Retegui said he was proud of his team. “I am proud to see the team playing in a well-organised way and to see the belief they have in themselves,” Retegui said.

Netherlands’ coach Roelant Oltmans Netherlands coach dismissed Netherlands’ loss however.

“It was a disappointing match for us as we encountered a team which has a good defence and counter-attacks well and we could not contain them,” Oltmans said.

Argentina lead the six-team table with seven points, having won two matches and drawn one. Netherlands are in second spot on six points, Spain third on four points followed by Australia, Germany and South Korea.

Germany stunned South Korea with a 3-0 lead after 13 minutes and a 4-1 lead at the break with goals by Sebastian Draguhn and Oliver Korn and two by Florian Keller.

Byung Hoon Kim kept South Korea’s hopes alive with a penalty corner conversion.

South Korea fought back in the last 20 minutes with Nam Yong Lee and captain Jong Ho Seo scoring and South Korea started to outpace Germany through the wings and in the midfield.

Germany held on to the lead despite furious fast breaks by South Korea showing superior fitness.

Australia and Spain drew 1-1 with Australia taking the honours in the midfield. In the second half Grant Schubert scored for Australia and Ramon Alegre for Spain.

Australia coach Barry Dancer agreed it was an even match. “It was a fair result with both teams having good scoring chances,” Dancer said.

“I was pleased with the way we contained Spain’s counter-attack but we made some poor decisions when entering their defensive quarter and made midfield turnovers of possession too often.”

There is just one match on Wednesday between Spain and Argentina.

Results:

Germany 4 South Korea 3

Australia 1 Spain 1

Argentina 1 The Netherlands 0.—AFP