Argentina (9) v (7) Timor-Leste
Argentina (9)v (7) Timor-LesteBy Matthew Price
ARGENTINA proved too slick for a battling Timor-Leste side in a goalfest at Melbourne Pitch on Tuesday morning.
Ten goals were scored in a first half played at lightning pace, and the match finished 9-7, with Argentina forced to wait until the final minutes to find the match sealer.
Timor-Leste were beaten 8-1 in their opening match against Malawi, but pushed the skilful Argentines all the way and could have forced a penalty shoot-out if they had taken their chances.
Amaro da Silva was the hero for the beaten side, scoring six of Timor-Leste's seven goals, including a backheel late in the game that will rank as one of the goals of the tournament.
Da Silva had a chance to pull Timor-Leste back within a goal with 90 seconds to play, after Renato Iriarte had given Argentina a commanding 9-7 lead. But his penalty skewed into the backboard, and the chance to force a frenetic final minute was gone.
Captain Marcelo was a powerhouse for Argentina, scoring twice as the South Americans quickly opened up a 4-1 lead in the first half.
But any thoughts Argentina had of romping to an easy win were dashed when Da Silva showed his skill on the counterattack, lashing in a hat-trick before half-time.
The score at the break was 6-4 to Argentina, and they found themselves immediately under pressure as the vocal crowd roared both sides on in the second half.
Timor Leste's goalkeeper, Donato Ximenes Sequeira, pulled off several crucial saves, and Argentina began knocking the ball around, trying to break open Timor-Leste's defence.
It didn't work, and Argentina were forced to try a more direct route; Sergio Portillo steering the ball home from distance with the outside of his boot.
Iriarte secured the win for Argentina with a deserved second goal.
Photos: Photoworx