India got through a lucky escape in their second Pool B encounter in hockey at the Paris Olympics as they held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in a tightly fought contest on Monday, July 29. A missed penalty stroke in the 37th minute was probably the turning point of the game for Argentina as they were dominating the contest since scoring a field goal in the 22nd minute. That 1-0 lead lasted for 36 minutes before skipper Harmanpreet Singh finally converted a penalty corner for India to give his side a breakthrough in the dying moments.
India may not have won the contest, but Craig Fulton and Co will be glad that they didn't drop all of their points to keep hopes of qualification for the quarter-finals and hopefully a podium finish alive in Paris. India made an attacking start in the first quarter. A couple of opportunities went begging for India by Abhishek and Gurjant Singh while Harmanpreet missed the flick on the first penalty corner India got in the 10th minute. India did keep Argentina on their toes but it was a goalless first quarter.
Argentina came back strongly in the second quarter, putting India's defence under pressure. Harmanpreet didn't convert another penalty corner while Argentina got on the board in the 22nd minute with Lucas Martinez, which was deflected off Sreejesh.
India were under pressure from the outset in the third quarter. Manpreet Singh and Abhishek combined for a possible opportunity but failed to convert, however, India's defence too was consistently smart and on its toes, preventing any possible mishap. Then came the turning point in the 37th minute and thanks to Sreejesh, the scoreline remained 1-0 in Argentina's favour by denying the penalty stroke.
India got their fifth penalty corner before the third quarter ended but the Men in Blue failed to convert it again. India got five penalty corners in the fourth quarter itself but were able to finally convert one, decisively rather, a minute before the final whistle.
India take on Ireland on Tuesday, July 30 and it won't be easy given how the latter played against Australia. India are still third on the points table with four points and have some tough games remaining in the group of death with Belgium and Australia remaining, the two teams currently occupying the top two spots.
More to follow...
