The Lions started 2024 with a win

The Lions (7th in the IIHF rankings) started the international year with a good victory over Belgium (2nd) with a score of 4 to 1 in the second window of the 2023/24 Professional League in Santiago del Estero. For the Argentine hockey team, Nicholas Keenan, Maiko Casilla and Nicholas Dela Torre scored two goals. In this way they achieved their second victory in regular time in the five shows of the competition.

The first quarter showed two clear facts that were present before the match: Argentina, in full development of the pre-season and with young players being tested (making their debut Joaquin Toscani) by coach Mariano Ronconi. Belgium, in a similar situation after winning Valencia's pre-Olympic tournament and rotating its squad, with several young Belgian players pictured. The truth is that due to the lack of power in the only short corner available to each one, The score was broken in the last seconds. Nicholas Keenan (15') He grabbed a rebound meters from the opponent's goal after a hot cross Pay Through Thomas Habib, with a back kick, from the first time, he scored the first goal for the Albiceleste team.

With the lead in their favour, Los León took the edge off the game. They tried a defensive strategy of betting on direct counterattacks. As the game slows down, Europeans They handled the ball more, but, They were unable to penetrate the penalty area for a violation of the goal defended by Thomas Santiago, who also had a great one-on-one against Thomas Krulz.in the only approach of the last Olympic champions, after an error in the Argentine start.

The beginning of the third quarter was due to pure pressure from Los Leones, which changed their appearance About the end of the first half. They quickly took advantage of the barrage to consolidate the victory. Lucas Toscani recovered the ball At the door of the area and gave it to Lucas MartinezWho took care of her and Push it in the direction of the arc, It was blocked by Santiago Tarazona A little and in the second suit Back Maiko Casilla (31')top scorer Which He pushed her to score his 59th goal for Argentina in 123 matches.

Between the end of the third quarter and the beginning of the last, Argentina had several penalty kicks to take a 3-0 lead, but they found the giant Simon Vandenbroucke, who converted every one of them.. Meanwhile, Belgium took advantage of the lack of strength, and as the saying goes: “Goals not scored in one goal are scored in the other.” Juan Catan sent a bad pass towards the middle, where the ball was intercepted by Arnaud van Dissel, who ran towards the penalty area, passed it to Romain Duvecott, and at one point made an assist. Thibaut Stockbrooks (48') Who defined precisely, without leaving opportunities for Santiago and Facundo Zarate, who were unable to close the goal.

And when it looked like the Belgians might have the idea of ​​a draw, The Lions did not stop their attacking mentality They got a short corner kick almost immediately. Nicholas Dela Torre (49') with A massive pull pinned the ball into the left corner for Vandenbroucke, who this time was unable to do anything to relieve Argentina. The goal was decisive at the end of the match. For the team Mamo Ronconi meant defending more quietly and Belgium going in a desperate search for another opponent. The Albiceleste team therefore took advantage of this fact to score the final goal. Lucas Toscani assisted in stunning fashion with a header pass from three-quarters of the field back to Nico Keenan (59')who also finished it after starting the score. He received with his back turned, turned his backhand and took all the time in the world to curl in a cross after the Belgian goalkeeper had been cleared and finished with the arc at his mercy. 4 to 1 and the final result.

Argentina was formed by: Tomas Santiago, Juan Catan, Facundo Zarate, Maiko Casella, Lucas Toscani, Nicolas Della Torre, Matias Rey (captain), Lucas Martinez, Agustín Mazzelli, Tadeo Marcucci, Thomas Habib. Alternatives: Nihuen Hernando, Santiago Tarazona, Federico Monga, Thomas Domaine, Nicolas Keenan, Joaquín Toscani, Bautista Capurro. DT: Mariano Ronconi.

The Lions will play again, but against Germany on Friday, February 16 at 6:55pm on ESPN2 and STAR+.