Johannesburg – South Africa’s men’s hockey team were shaded 2-1 by hosts Argentina in Sunday’s second-round match at the Champions Challenge tournament in Quilmes, near Buenos Aires.
The Argentinians led 1-0 at half-time through Gonzalo Peillat’s 10th-minute penalty corner. South Africa equalised after the changeover, through penalty corner exponent Matthew Guise-Brown.
Willy Schickendantz saved the day for Argentina, tipping in the winner 14 minutes from time.
South Africa left out nine London 2012 Olympians for this tournament and brought in 10 new players including four on debut.
In Sunday night's other Pool B match, Japan were flattering 3-0 winners over luckless Ireland. Malaysia upset world No 7 and tournament favourites South Korea 4-2 in Pool A and Poland surprised by holding Canada to a 3-3 draw. – Sapa