Argentina's men's field hockey coach Sergio Vigil resigned on Wednesday after returning from New Zealand, where his team was eliminated from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in China.

 

"It is a indeclinable decision," said Vigil, since his team lost 2-3 in the final against New Zealand and did not earn a pass for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

 

Vigil, 42, said "he had thought a lot before taking this decision and he believes it is the best for hockey."

 

He added that there are some private reasons for his leaving and lamented that "we went to seek the Olympic pass but we did not accomplish the goal."

 

"I feel proud of our team and I am grateful to each one of the players and members of the technical unit," said Vigil.

 

Between 1997 and 2004, Vigil was the most successful Argentine coach in the women's team. They obtained the silver medal in Sydney 2000 and the bronze medal in Athens 2004, besides winning the Champions Trophy 2001 and the Perth 2002 World Championship.

 

In May of 2005 he became the men's team coach, but was unable to repeat prior accomplishments.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2008)