Argentina surprised on Tuesday by topping pool A ahead of Olympic champions Germany at the Hockey World League Semi Finals in Malaysia.
“We are very happy,” coach Carlos Retegui said after a 3—0 win over South Korea saw Argentina finish top by two goals over the Germans.
Facundo Callioni, Matias Paredes and Gonzalo Pillat scored within 13 minutes in the second half to secure the pool—winning victory, after Germany’s 3—1 against Japan on a rainy day in Johur Bahru.
“We have many young talented boys in our squad”, Retegui said.
The 43-year-old played at three Olympics between 1996 and 2004 in his active career and was head coach of the national women’s team before.
Retegui’s biggest success with “Las Leonas” is the World Championship won in 2010 on home soil in Rosario. Between 2009 and 2012 he also led the women to Olympic Silver in London 2012 as well as three Champions Trophy victories in 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Retegui and “Las Leonas” also won several Four—Nation tournaments while defeat in the Panamerican Games final against the United States in 2011 was a big disappointment and denied them direct qualification for London 2012.
After the London Olympics, Retegui switched to the men’s side.
“The only difference between coaching women and men is that women wear strapless and tighter shirts”, Retegui said with a smile.
His boys are doing very well so far in Johor Bahru, drawing 1—1 with Germany and beating Korea 3—0 and Japan 7—1, but for Rategui “the tournament starts now.” The quarter—final on Thursday will be crucial to secure World Cup qualification for the 2014 World Cup in The Hague as only the top three from Johor Bahru gain direct entry.
If Argentina fails, they still have chances to make the 12—team World Cup by either becoming Panamerican champions or following because of their final ranking in Johor Bahru.