The rivalry between Great Britain/England and Argentina dates back many, many years. There have been many incidents that have stirred up the emotions on the sporting field, and away from the battle for the Falkland Islands.
At the 1966 FIFA World Cup England and Argentina met in the quarter finals. England won 1-0 courtesy of a goal by Sir Geoff Hurst. A goal Argentina claimed was offside. Argentina’s captain Antonio Rattin was sent off in the match for reasons that to this day are questionable. There were no yellow or red cards back then, and this game was the inspiration for their introduction. Rattin had to be escorted from the pitch. At the final whistle Sir Alf Ramsey coach of England refused to allow his players to swap shirts with their opponents. In South America the match is referred to as “el robo del siglo” or “the theft of the century.”
In 1986 the boot was on the other foot. It was England who felt that they were cheated. Apart from three friendly matches between 1966 and 1986 this was the first time the two teams had met in a competitive match since that last World Cup match. It was once again the Quarter Finals of the World Cup. This time the great Maradona would score two of the most memorable goals of his entire career. His second goal, a brilliant individual run was named the best World Cup Goal in history. Yet his first, the infamous “Hand of God” where he punched the ball past Peter Shilton in goal for England, is one of the most remembered. England pulled a goal back, but lost 2-1. Argentina and Maradona just like England 20 years before went on to lift the World Cup.
In 1998 the two sides met again at a World Cup Finals, this time in the round of 16. Once again there was an outstanding goal scored, this time by Michael Owen. Yet the game is remembered for the incident involving David Beckham and Diego Simeone. Beckham had been fouled by Simeone. As Simeone stood up, he rubbed his knuckles against the back of Beckham’s head while Beckham lay face-down on the pitch. Beckham swung his leg at Simeone, which resulted in Simeone falling over, and Beckham being sent off. The game ended 2-2 and Argentina won in a penalty shoot-out.
In the world of Field Hockey there has not been such an intense rivalry, but there may be in the future.
At the weekend Great Britain’s – Not England – men defeated New Zealand in their last FIH Pro League match. That win took them to 22 points in the home and away season. The same total as Argentina.
Back on the 22nd of February Argentina were to host Germany in Buenos Aires. A storm hit the city and the game never started due to the severe weather conditions. It was decided that both teams would share one point, and the game would be recorded as a 0-0 draw.
There were many who raised an eyebrow at this decision at the time and questioned the impact it would have later in the League. As the rules of the Pro-League have seen a shoot-out take place following a drawn match for one team to claim a bonus point.
By not playing for the bonus point the percentages favoured Argentina as it was deemed that they had picked up one point from an available two points. Had they lost the shoot-out they would have had one from three points. However had they won the shoot out they would have improved their percentage and would have picked up another point.
Being deprived of the opportunity to play for that point has seen them fall out of the top four on goal difference and miss out on the chance of a share of the USD$250,000 that is to be shared by the top four teams.
The point is in fact irrelevant as the FIH Pro League rules state: “during the season up until the grand Final, teams will be ranked by the percentage of points gained relative to the maximum number possible to have attained at any given time. In the case of two or more teams having an equal percentage, they will be ranked according to regulations 4.2 e – k below.”
So the final standings despite what has been reported should still have been based on the percentage, Great Britain and Argentina tied on 52.4%. However Argentina having not been given the chance to gain that bonus point which would have either given Great Britain or Argentina outright fourth, missed out on the count back based on goal difference.
Unfortunately a new controversy has erupted when it shouldn’t have.
Will this spill over down the track, or will the Argentinean Men take the situation like gentlemen?
This could depend on results at the Pan Am Games, which act as a direct qualification to the Tokyo Olympics. By not finishing in the top four of the FIH Pro League Argentina do not qualify automatically for the Olympic Qualifiers, however their World ranking will still see them participate in the qualifiers.
However by finishing outside of the top four they will pick up less World Ranking points than Great Britain and depending on where their European rivals finish in the European Championships, it could affect their current World ranking and their opponent in those qualifiers.
So what on the surface may look to be a storm in a tea-cup could prove vital to both sides.
What a shame that in its first year the FIH Pro League regular season should finish in such a way. Hopefully there will be no appeal that delays the Finals taking place in Amsterdam from Thursday onwards. It is hoped that lessons are learned and decisions made to ensure that a similar situation never happens again.
