I
n the Spotlight is a series that will profile each
of the 24 participating teams at the London Olympic Games. It will
provide a glimpse of what to expect as each squad begins its London
quest. Between now and the Olympic opening ceremony a new team will be
featured every 2-3 days.
FROM http://www.fih.ch/en/news
The Basics:
The Argentinean Women are currently 2nd in the FIH
World Rankings, only a handful of points behind The Netherlands, the
team they beat in the final of the 2010 World Cup in Rosario. They have
regularly stood on the podium at world events over the past twelve
years, winning the World Cup twice (2002 and 2010), finishing 3rd in
2006, collecting Olympic medals in 2000 (silver), 2004 (bronze) and 2008
(bronze again), and winning five Champions Trophies. However, the South
Americans only qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games through the back
door, after a shock defeat at the hands of the USA in the final of the
Pan American Games.
The Road to London:
After their World Cup triumph at home in Rosario, the
Argentinean Women could have imagined that the 2011 Pan American Games
would be the usual formality for them, having never previously lost a
match in continental competition before. With some of their key players
performing under their par, they were surprised by a well-organized USA
team who snatched the only ticket for London. The World Champions were
only saved from having to play in an Olympic Qualifier when the South
African Olympic Committee refused the direct qualification earned by its
team and the spot was given to the South Americans, as the top ranked
not yet qualified team.
Players to Watch:
Las Leonas would probably not be where they are without
the stunning talent of Luciana Aymar. FIH Player of the Year an
incredible seven times, her influence on the Argentinean team is
undeniable: when she is at the top her form, as in Rosario for the World
Cup, she is a permanent threat for the opposition, scoring goals or
delivering sumptuous passes to her forwards; when she is not as sharp,
as in Guadalajara for the Pan American games, the whole team slows down a
notch.
Argentina can also count on the fierce penalty-corners of Noel
Barrionuevo and the speedy runs and clever positioning in front of the
goal of Carla Rebecchi.
Coach:
42-year-old Carlos Retegui played for the Argentinean men’s team for
17 years and is a triple Olympian himself. After his playing career, he
turned to coaching, and during a one year stint with the Argentine men
led them to Champions trophy bronze in 2008. In early 2009, “Chapa”
Retegui switched to the women’s team, and led them to victory in the
Champions Trophy in 2009, 2010 and 2012, and to their World Cup triumph
at home in 2010.
Strengths:
Spectators the world over have enjoyed the spectacular attacking
style developed by Las Leonas. With Luciana Aymar in the role of
conductor, all players are talented virtuosi comfortable performing
technical moves at high speed. With Rosario Luchetti, Carla Rebecchi,
and of course Luciana Aymar, they have many players who can make the
difference up-front and score, overwhelming an opposing defense.
When they force penalty-corners, they can count on the
powerful flick of Noel Barrionuevo, reliably efficient as for example
during the World Cup (with 6 goals).
Weaknesses:
The overall performance of Argentina depends very much
on the individual form of Aymar and Barrionuevo. There are also concerns
about their defense, who struggled during the Pan American Games,
suffering 4 goals in the final against the USA (including 3 field
goals), and will be further weakened by the absence of Belen Succi,
their goalkeeper at the 2008 Olympic Games and 2010 World Cup, who will
miss the trip to London due to pregnancy. On the other hand, the return
of Mercedes Margalot, a veteran of 3 Olympic Games, could possibly bring
back some much needed experience and stability in the defensive
department.
Crystal Ball:
Argentina might not be as dominant as they were two
years ago when they conquered the World Cup, but they have enough talent
and experience to be a strong contender in London. In what could be her
last participation at a world level event, Luciana Aymar will want to
finish her long and illustrious career on a high note, and Las Leonas
could very well be in the semi-finals in London, and possibly once again
on the Olympic podium.
