Hockey Germany is in the semi-finals with a victory over Argentina 3-1

TOKYO, Aug 1 (Reuters) -Germany became the first country to reach the semi-finals of the men’s hockey tournament after winning a steady 3-1 victory over Olympic champion Argentina in sauna-like conditions at the Tokyo Olympics on Sunday.

Germany opened the ball after 19 minutes, as a result of Lukas Windfeder’s awkward, but ultimately successful, shot from the right.

Ten minutes into the second half, the German added an advantage after playing a second penalty angle in a beautiful variation that ended with Timm Herzbruch throwing Captain Tobias Hauke’s low pass to the goal.

A penalty 48 minutes into the game gave the home side a chance at adding to the score, but an overconfident Windfeder shot the ball wide trying to put it away in the top corner.

With eight minutes left, Maico Casella Schuth shot a penalty kick to Argentina but they couldn’t add points.

Officials doubled the usual two-minute interval between quarters to allow players to cool off from the heat on Oi Hockey Stadium’s main field.

The victory gave Germany revenge on Argentina after they had dropped out of the Rio Olympics semi-finals in 2016, when the Germans had to settle for bronze.

Argentina’s lineup in Tokyo still included many names that brought the country their first Olympic gold medal in 2016: Pedro Ibarra, Agustin Mazzilli, Matias Rey and 42-year-old goalkeeper Vivaldi.

Reported by Daniel Leussink; Edited by Lincoln Feast.

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