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Phil Burrows controls an air ball - Source: Photosport -
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The first semi-final started under bright sun and in front of a large audience.
But the local fans were promptly silenced when Andy Hayward scored a penalty-corner in the second minute of play, setting the tone for the match.
Once the shock of this early goal passed, Argentina was promptly back on the attack and besieged the Black Sticks goal but were kept at bay, including on their first penalty-corner.
After a series of near misses, their pressure paid off on their second penalty-corner. They didn't bother with an option this time and Pedro Ibarra powered the ball out of reach of Kyle Pontifex in the New Zealand goal. Argentina kept pushing forward, threatening the goal, but the experienced New Zealand defense absorbed well the pressure.
The Argentinean forwards were showing some nervousness in their last passes or shots, and the score did not evolve until the 32nd minute, when the ever reliable Phil Burrows concluded a counter-attack, giving the lead to the Black Sticks going into the break, albeit slightly against the run of play.
The second half started with the drums now in action to encourage the local team but the Black Sticks seemed to have found the key to lock the midfield and it took a while for the first serious Argentinean chance, a penalty-corner shot wide by Ibarra.
New Zealand were more efficient at the other end and scored on their first incursion in Argentinean territory, this time by Shea McAleese.
Down by two goals, the situation was looking bleak for Argentina, and they still could not find solutions to penetrate the compact New Zealand defence, even on another penalty-corner shot wide yet again by Ibarra.
In the last 10 minutes, New Zealand pushed forward more and Simon Child ran twice the ball in the Argentinean circle, crossing for Burrows, but he was shot down by Juan Tomas Espinosa in goal.
Argentina finally narrowed the gap in the 66th minute by Lucas Vila after a counter-attack that swept the whole field, setting the stage for a torrid end of match. Teams traded green cards, but the experienced New Zealanders controlled the ball in the final minute, earning their berth in the final on Monday.
