Junior Hockey WC: Argentina Champion

Bhubaneswar (Reporters Today Bureau): Argentina rose to the occasion to topple six-time champions Germany and lift the FIH Junior World Cup hockey crown last evening.

Argentina, who edged out France in the semifinals, rode a hat-trick of penalty corner strikes by Lautaro Domene to win the final 4-2 at Kalinga Stadium and bring the curtain down on yet another major hockey championship hosted by Odisha.

Argentina led 2-0 at half-time after Domene scored one each in the first two quarters. Germany refused to be rolled over and reduced the margin through a field goal by Julius Hayner in the 36th minute. Masi Pfandt then found the equalizer, utilizing a penalty corner in the 47th minute. But two goals in the final 10 minutes – by Domene and Franco Agostini — helped Argentina clinch the match in style to mark their second title.