No crying in Argentina as places decided at World Cup

Argentina, New Zealand and Spain were the winners on play-off day in the 2010 men's hockey world cup.
Spain won the top game of the day, for fifth and six places, 2-0 over Korea. The Spaniards took the lead in the first 30 seconds, through Pol Amat, and never looked back. Amat added a second with a neat finish from a David Alegre pass in the 32nd minute. After that Spain dealt confidently with the occasional Korean counter attack, but their lead never looked in doubt.
In the middle game of the day, Argentina comprehensively outplayed India at the Dhyan Chand stadium to take seventh place, an excellent result for them. The South American's led at half time thanks to a Tomas Argento field goal in the 28th minute. Sandeep Singh levelled in the 43rd minute with a penalty stroke (for a stick tackle). But any hopes of a home revival were squashed by three Argentine goals in three minutes.

First Lucas Vila produced a penalty corner thunderbolt just inside the right post (also 43rd minute), he then added a field goal two minutes later. Then Facundo Callioni added a fourth with a reverse shot Adrian D'Souza probably should have saved (46minutes). Shivendra Singh revived the crowd in the 49th with a field goal but Argentina played out the half securely enough and were well worth their win.
On has to feel sorry for the Indian fans, loyal to the end, and their coach Jose Brasa who is working with a group of players incapable/disinclined to produce the speed of movement of player and ball required to create space and good chances in modern hockey. Maybe it's time for back to the drawing board.
New Zealand took ninth place with a penalty stroke win over South Africa in a game that unexpectedly produced plenty of scoring and excitement after a first half which produced a solitary goal, to South Africa.
The Kiwis snatched a 4-4 draw in normal time with a Andrew Hayward penalty corner conversion after the final whistle. There was no further score in the 15 minutes of golden goal extra time. The sides then each converted four of their five flicks and the shoot-out went to sudden death.
After Kyle Pontifex saved low to his stick side from Lloyd Madsen, stand-in Blacksticks skipper Dean Couzins sent Erasmus Pieterse the wrong way as he slotted the winning penalty, low to the left.
The heat in the stadium, particularly during the first half, contributed to a slow start to the match. England and the Netherlands bronze medal decider will be played at the same time tomorrow (Saturday).