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Indian men’s hockey team lost 3-4 to Argentina in the FIH Pro League, their third consecutive defeat.
FIH Pro League: Indian men’s hockey team lost 3-4 to Argentina
Careless defending proved costly for the Indian men’s hockey team as they fell 3-4 to Argentina, suffering their third consecutive defeat in the European leg of the FIH Pro League on Wednesday.
India had previously lost 1-2 and 2-3 against Olympic champions the Netherlands.
FIH Pro League – India vs Argentina: Highlights
On Wednesday, the Indian defence was repeatedly caught off guard by Los Leones, who scored through skipper Matias Rey (3rd minute), Lucas Martinez (17th), Santiago Tarazona (34th), and Lucio Mendez (46th) to secure the victory.
India’s goals came from skipper Harmanpreet Singh (12th, 33rd) and Abhishek (42nd).
Following back-to-back defeats against the Netherlands, India began positively and enjoyed greater possession in the first quarter.
However, Argentina took the lead in the third minute through captain Matias Rey, capitalising on an unforced error by Indian defender Amit Rohidas.
Trailing, India increased the pressure, dominated the remainder of the quarter, and finally drew level in the 12th minute when Harmanpreet converted a penalty corner, the team’s first. The score remained 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.
Argentina were the stronger side in the second quarter and regained the lead two minutes in when Martinez scored from the top of the circle, again profiting from a defensive error by Rohidas.
While India effectively utilised the aerial ball, unforced errors and sloppy defending proved their undoing.
Three minutes after the restart, India equalised through a penalty stroke conversion by Harmanpreet, his second goal of the match.
However, India’s joy was short-lived. Just 60 seconds later, another defensive lapse proved costly when Tarazona capitalised on a mistake to restore his side’s lead.
Argentina secured their first penalty corner soon after, but India defended resolutely.
India pressed forward and earned their second penalty corner in the 39th minute but failed to convert the opportunity.
In the 42nd minute, Abhishek levelled the score for India, scoring from a rebound after Jarmanpreet Singh’s initial shot from the top of the circle was saved by Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago.
But heartbreak followed for India just 18 seconds into the final quarter when Mendez scored to give his side the decisive lead, courtesy of yet another defensive lapse by the Indian backline.
India had another chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty corner in the 55th minute but squandered the opportunity.
With three-and-a-half minutes remaining and trailing by a goal, India replaced their goalkeeper with an extra field player, but the tactic proved fruitless.
India will face Argentina again on Thursday.
(With inputs from PTI)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket, having cov… Read More
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