The Argentine women's under-21 hockey team defeated China 3-0 in the match played today at the Claudia Schüler National Stadium. According to the Argentine News Agency, the goalscorers of the match were Milagros Alastra, who scored twice, and Zoe Díaz. The victory allowed the young Argentine team to advance to the Junior World Cup final for the sixth time in their history. They will repeat the final of the last world championship: they will face the Netherlands next Saturday, December 13th. The Leoncitas were able to continue Argentina's historic legacy at the Junior World Cup and will now go for the championship title against the Dutch team, one of the undisputed powers in the sport. The first quarter was marked by parity, although the most dangerous play favored China, with goalkeeper Mercedes Artola deflecting a short corner that posed a great threat. The Asian team began to dominate the game in the second period, with a shot that hit the crossbar twice before defender Chiara Ambrosini could clear the ball off the line. Although Argentina did not have many big chances in the first half, it took the lead in the third quarter. It was at the 36-minute mark when Mendoza forward Milagros Alastra converted from a field goal to put 1-0. At 45 minutes, with the third period about to end, a play between Italiano forwards Zoe Díaz and Lara Casas ended in the goal of the former, sending the albiceleste into the last break with a considerable advantage. When the last quarter arrived, a new field goal from Alastra at the 53-minute mark sealed the victory in favor of the Argentine team and their qualification for the 2023 Santiago de Chile Junior World Cup final. The final stage will mark a new confrontation between Argentines and Dutch in the women's junior title final, with a negative history for the South Americans: they have lost the four finals they have played so far, dreaming of turning the history around in the next cup match.
