The competition, which this year marks its 69th edition, is known for pitting some of the best teams in the world against each other, with Angola's first game featuring a duel between African champions and world champions.
However, despite their status and a good performance in the first half of the game - in which the match was tied at three goals - the national team was unable to avoid a "disastrous" second half, with four goals conceded.
André Centeno, captain of the national team, stated that the team started well, but that in the second half the Argentines showed why they are the current world champions. "After a balanced start, the second half was disastrous because the opponent showed all their experience," he said. He also said that the next match, against Italy, is also expected to be difficult, but promised commitment from the Angolan team.
Despite the defeat, the team led by Alberto Domingos 'Jó' continues its journey in the competition - also known as the 'Easter Tournament' - with the aim of trying to overcome the best place obtained in the tournament: third place in 2015.
In the other Group A game, Italy beat hosts HC Montreux 1-8. In Group B, Portugal defeated Switzerland (8-0), while the Spanish beat the French by the minimum advantage (2-1).
Angola returns to the field this Thursday to face the Italian team, ending the regular phase of the tournament against the HC Montreux team, on Saturday.
The semi-finals of the competition, whose last edition was played in 2019 and was won by Portugal, will be played on Saturday, and the final is scheduled for Sunday.
The Montreux tournament is one of the last tests of the teams before the Roller Hockey World Championship, which will take place from 8 to 22 September in Novara, Italy.
