By SHUBHAJIT Chakraborty

New Delhi, March 7 – Argentina has registered their first victory in the hockey World Cup, scored over New Zealand with a lone goal in the Pool A match.

In the 55th minute of the match Argentina striker Facuda Callioni scored the winning goal. However, the country is already out of semifinal race after loosing their first three matches.

With this defeat New Zealand also need to win their match against defending champion Germany in their last match on March 9 for hope for semi final. New Zealand has six points from four matches. In the game with Argentina, New Zealand got a few chances to score but all over Argentina edged over its opponent.

In the 25th minute, Argentina Martias Enrique Paredes got a chance from very close range but brilliant effort by Kiwi goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex defied any early damage. New Zealand also got a very good chance in the 32nd minute but Ryan Archibald wasted a penalty stroke.

The second half saw all out attack from both sides to get a goal which did not happen till the 55th minute.

Facundo Callioni scored the only goal of the match in the final stage of the game. New Zealand tried hard to equal the match but Argentina strong defense failed them to do so.