Argentina women target hockey breakthrough in Rio

Argentina women's hockey captain Carla Rebecchi said Thursday that only hard work would allow the team to break their Olympic gold medal duck.

Las Leonas have taken home medals at the last four Olympic Games and are determined to win gold for the first time in Rio next year.

"Our goal is always to make the podium and, obviously, another goal is to win the gold medal, which is what's missing in Argentinean hockey," Rebecchi told Rio2016.com.

Last year's retirement of long-time captain Luciana Aymar has coincided with a rebuilding phase in Argentinean hockey and Rebecchi does not expect instant miracles.

"(Consolidating a team) takes time, work and above all training," the 31-year-old said.

"You have to give 100 percent to training so that the younger ones build up experience. International matches and tours also help get the team as strong as possible."

Argentina are one of 10 teams to have qualified so far for the women's hockey tournament in Rio. The others are New Zealand, South Korea, Britain, China, Germany, Australia, the United States, the Netherlands and India. Endi