Can India Overcome Argentina in Hockey Pro League?

Amstelveen (Netherlands), June 12 (NationPress) India faced a narrow loss of 1-2 to Argentina in their FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 match held at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands on Thursday.

Jugraj Singh (4') opened the scoring for India, while Tomas Domene (9’, 49’) netted twice for Argentina. Notably, India’s regular captain Harmanpreet Singh was sidelined due to a finger tissue injury from a previous game, leading to Vice-Captain Hardik Singh taking charge.

Argentina initiated the match with vigorous pressing, maintaining higher ball possession. However, India countered effectively with precise passing and quick circle entries, which resulted in a penalty corner. Jugraj Singh (4’) executed a powerful drag flick to give India the early advantage. Argentina swiftly responded with a penalty corner, but Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak made a vital save.

Pathak remained crucial, diving to block another Argentine penalty corner attempt. Yet, Argentina found the net as Tomas Domene (9’) equalized. Both teams remained aggressive, with the first quarter concluding at 1-1.

The second quarter saw Argentina pressing for early circle entries, but India’s defense held firm. India retaliated with quick counter-attacks, applying pressure on Argentina’s goalkeeper Tomas Santiago, who made significant saves.

Despite several promising positions, neither team could score during this quarter, leaving the halftime score at 1-1.

In the third quarter, both teams became cautious, prioritizing possession and tempo control. The midfield saw much action, but clear opportunities were scarce, maintaining the 1-1 scoreline as the final period approached.

Argentina emerged aggressively in the fourth quarter, applying pressure that led to Tomas Domene (49’) scoring his second goal from a penalty corner, putting Argentina ahead at 2-1. With time running out, India shifted to a long-passing strategy to find an equalizer.

India’s best chance arrived in the final moments with a penalty stroke awarded. Jugraj Singh took the shot, but it was expertly saved by Tomas Santiago, preserving Argentina's narrow lead and securing their 2-1 victory.

Following this defeat, India sits in fifth place in the points table with 15 points from 12 matches. They will face Australia next on June 14.

Additionally, both teams observed a one-minute silence before the match in honor of the victims of the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad earlier in the day, an event that has profoundly affected the nation.