Left out of Argentina’s World Cup squad in 2006, veteran penalty-corner striker Jorge Lombi was clearly out to prove a point when he snatched victory from the jaws of defeat for his side in the final of the Champions Challenge between New Zealand and Argentina in Boom yesterday (Sunday). The match itself looked as if it was going to be a non-event until well into the second half, when New Zealand took advantage of Ignacio Bergner’s absence in the sin bin to win two penalty corners in five minutes. Hayden Shaw, himself an awesome penalty corner striker, put his team two ahead. It looked all over for the Argentine side but with only four minutes left on the clock, Lombi converted one penalty corner and, less than a minute later, a second. Golden goal extra time lasted all of five minutes before the Argentines were awarded another penalty corner which was struck into the back of the net by Lombi. The celebrations of the winning side could quite possibly be heard all the way to Buenos Aires. Not a classic match for sure, but one which came to life and entertained for the last twenty minutes. Final score 3-2
