New Zealand’s semifinal chances lessen a great deal after loss to Argentina.

By Prateek Srivastava

Argentina scrambled to a 1-0 victory against New Zealand in a Pool A match at the National Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday.

It was the Antipodeans’ third defeat to Argentina in five World Cup matches.

Facundo Callioni scored the lone goal of the match in the second half to cheer up the South Americans, who were on the losing side in their first three matches.

With their second defeat in the tournament, the Kiwis’ hopes of a semifinal berth have been dealt a massive blow.

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They were at their dullest best in the first half and not for one moment looked like a team eyeing a semifinal berth. Argentina, to the surprise of many, was the better of the two teams and created a couple of very good chances but poor execution came in their way. In the 32nd minute of the match, New Zealand could have turned their fortunes around but Ryan Archibald failed to convert a penalty stroke against Argentine goalie Juan Tomas Espinosa.

After the break nothing changed except that Argentina got the winner. Pedro Ibarra provided a beautiful pass to Callioni from the right wing and the latter skillfully slid the ball into the goal in the 55th minute.

New Zealand play their last league match against world champions Germany on Tuesday while Argentina face Canada, so far the weakest team of the tournament.

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