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Hockey champs Germany stunned 5-2
RIO DE JANEIRO: Argentina caused the biggest sensation in Olympics men’s hockey competition on Tuesday by stunning two-time defending champions Germany 5-2 in the
RIO DE JANEIRO: Argentina caused the biggest sensation in Olympics men’s hockey competition on Tuesday by stunning two-time defending champions Germany 5-2 in the semi-finals. Argentina are thus assured of winning their maiden Olympic hockey medal. Their previous best was a 5th place in their 1948, the year they made their Olympic debut in London.
Penalty corner expert Gonzalo Peillat struck a fine hat-trick by converting short corners in the 9th, 12th and 28th minute as the shell-shocked Germans, winners in 2008 and 2012, slumped to a 0-3 deficit by the half-time.
Forwards Joaquin Menini (36th minute) and Lucas Vila (47th min) scored two field goals to complete the tally for Argentina, bronze medal winner at the last World Cup in 2014. Moritz Furste converted a penalty stroke in the 51st minute and Christopher Ruhr scored in the 58th minute for Germany but it was too late and too little for the World No 3 team.
PERKOVIC BAGS GOLD IN WOMEN’S DISCUS
Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic overcame nerves and early fouls to successfully defend her Olympic discus title on Tuesday, winning with a best throw of a 69.21 metres.
The 26-year-old hot favourite fumbled her first two throws and was one foul away from early elimination in the final before hurling the medal-winning throw with her third effort. Perkovic, who has dominated women’s discuss since winning gold in the London Games, recorded five foul throws from six attempts but still won by 2.48 metres.
France’s Melina Robert-Michon set a national record of 66.73 metres to take silver, while Cuba’s reigning world champion Denia Caballero grabbed bronze.
DENMARK SHUTTLERS END CHINESE REIGN
Giant-killing Danes Christinna Pedersen and Kamilla Rytter Juhl stunned China’s second-ranked pair in the semi-finals of the women’s badminton doubles at the Olympics on Tuesday to end the Asian nation’s 20-year stranglehold on the title.
An inspired performance at the Riocentro saw Pedersen and Rytter Juhl fend off Yu Yang and Tang Yuanting 21-16 14-21 21-19 in a thriller, ensuring Denmark will grab their first medal in the event since badminton joined the Olympic programme in 1992.
After closing out a fierce match point with a smash, Pedersen and Rytter Juhl slumped over in relief as ecstatic Danish fans jumped up and down in the terraces.
The Scandinavians will meet Misaki Matsumoto and Ayaka Takahashi in the title-decider on Thursday, the Japanese having defeated South Korea’s Jung Kyung-eun and Shin Seung-chan in the earlier semi-final.
IRISH BANTAMWEIGHT BLASTS ‘CORRUPT’
AIBA Irish bantamweight Michael Conlan blasted Olympic boxing body AIBA as ‘corrupt’ on Tuesday in an expletive-laden rant at the judging after losing to Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin in the quarterfinals.
Saying he had been robbed of a rightful win, and vowing never to fight again in any AIBA-organised competition, the world champion also accused Russia of influencing judges.
“AIBA are just corrupt. They’ve robbed me of my Olympic dream,” he told reporters after losing on points in a unanimous decision that, to some observers, seemed at odds with what they had witnessed. “Obviously Russia can’t dope this time so they are obviously paying the judges a lot more,” he added. “I will never box an AIBA competition again. Not APB, not WSB, not world championships or Olympic Games. Corruption runs deep... I just think they are rotten to the core.”
An AIBA spokesman said Conlan was a champion who came to Rio with high expectations and was understandably disappointed.
