FIH Pro Hockey League: India Beat Argentina 4-3
FIH Pro Hockey League: India beat Argentina 4-3.
Jugraj Singh’s two goals from a penalty corner followed by Mandeep Singh’s last-minute goal helped India beat Argentina 4-3 in a thrilling second match of FIH Pro League Hockey on Sunday.
Revenge for the loss in the out. Argentina had won the first match on Saturday in a penalty shoot-out and the match was heading towards the same side at one point,
But Mandeep’s goal 26 seconds before the final hooter proved to be the deciding factor.
Earlier, Jugraj scored in the 20th and 52nd minutes, while Hardik Singh scored in the 17th minute. Della Torre Nicolas (40th), Domín Tomas (51st), and Ferrero Martín (56th) scored for Argentina.
With this win, India remains second only to the Netherlands with 16 points from eight matches. Argentina is fourth with 11 points from six matches.
In the match played at Kalinga Stadium, no team could score in the first quarter. In the 11 matches played between India and Argentina since 2013, only five goals have been scored in the first quarter.
India, however, played a great game in the second quarter and scored two goals. India scored the first goal with Hardik’s best effort.
When Varun Kumar’s drag-flick was saved from the penalty corner, Hardik was quick to score on the rebound.
India got a penalty corner three minutes later with the efforts of captain Amit Rohidas, which Jugraj Singh did not make a mistake in converting the goal with a crisp drag-flick.
Argentina was awarded a penalty stroke in the second quarter, but the referee reversed his decision after India’s review.
Argentina looked to make a comeback in the third quarter.
Della Torre scored the first goal for him, while Domaine Tomas converted a penalty stroke to level the score 2-2.
Jugraj, however, quickly gave India the lead again with yet another scintillating flick, but Argentina was able to equalize again with a goal from Martin Ferrero.
But Mandeep deflected a long pass and put it into the Argentine goal, giving victory to India. India will now take on England on April 2 and 3.
