Agustin Esteban Corradini (L) of Argentina, Jason Wellings and Brian Schledorn of USA reach for the ball during the Olympic Qualifying Hockey match between Argentina and the United States of America at Crown Relocations Hocket Stadium on February 2, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images)
Steven Edwards of New Zealand (L) congratulates Simon Child after he scored a goal during the Olympic Qualifying Hockey match between New Zealand and Trinidad & Tobago at Crown Relocations Hocket Stadium on February 2, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images)
(BEIJING, February 2) -- Host New Zealand opened their campaign in Auckland on Saturday with a 12-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Day 1 of the first of this year's Olympic hocky qualifiers.
Ireland trounced France 4-0, while favorites Argentina held off the United States 9-1.
After an open beginning, Mark Gleghorne took advantage of a penalty corner to give Ireland an early lead. France tried to bring the match under control but barely managed to challenge their rivals. It was France who picked up a yellow card first, but they were soon followed by Ireland who saw their captain Paddy Brown sidelined after a hearty tackle.
In the second half, Ireland controlled the match, forcing France back onto their half for quite a long time. The French side had difficulty in advancing to the Irish side. A few minutes into the second half, John Jermyn extended his team's lead to two when he left the diving goalkeeper helpless.
Michael Watt scored another goal when he finished off a nice attack with a curious deflection. He scored his second goal of the day in the last few minutes of the match, slamming a ball that bounced back off the post into the net for the final score of 4-0.
Ireland showed better form throughout the match, while futile France seemed to be unable to avoid the defeat and will have to work to get past this defeat and step up their game in the coming matches.
New Zealand will take their confidence into their next game against Ireland.
New Zealand, Argentina, France, Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA will battle for one place in this year's Olympic tournament.
Nine teams, including China, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Belgium, Pakistan, and Australia have qualified for the Olympic Games.
Baptiste Rogeau of France (L) and Iain Lewers of Ireland in action during the Olympic Qualifying Hockey match between France and Ireland at Crown Relocations Hockey Stadium on February 2, 2008 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Sandra Mu/Getty Images)
