Clinical Australia beat Argentina 2-1 to defend Hockey World League final title
Hockey | December 10, 2017 21:56 ISTIt was a fitting end to the eight-nation tournament which witnessed a keen battle between worlds best two teams.
It was a fitting end to the eight-nation tournament which witnessed a keen battle between worlds best two teams.
The coach, however, felt there were many lessons to learn from the tournament for the Indians.
India secured three back-to-back penalty corners in a span of two minutes - the last of which was converted by Harmanpreet with a powerful, low grounded flick to take the important lead that decided the outcome of the match.
After having lost 0-2 to Germany in the pool stages of the tournament, the Indians would be hoping to avenge the defeat.
Argentina utilised the only penalty corner that came their way to perfection in the first semi-final of the eight-nation tournament at the Kalinga Stadium.
After a not-so-impressive pool campaign, India not only stunned world no.3 Belgium but all and sundry at the stadium with their spirited show in the quarterfinals.
Gurjant Singh (31st minute), Harmanpreet (34th) and Rupinder (46th) scored in the regulation time for India.
India, bronze medallist in 2015, finished last in Pool B after garnering just one point from one draw and two losses and will now take on the world No. 2 side in the knockout round on Wednesday.
Despite having the better share of chances in their final Pool B match against Germany, the hosts could not execute them and went down 0-2.
India, who drew 1-1 with Australia and lost 2-3 against England in their previous outings, thus finished at the bottom of Pool B table with just one point from three matches.
With one draw and one loss, India is currently at the bottom in Pool B with one point. The pool is being led by the Germans who have four points from one win and a draw.
The Indians were nowhere near to the level that they displayed in their first match against Australia.
India held world champions and title holders Australia to a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the Hockey World League Final and chief coach Sjoerd Marijne said he was happy but not "satisfied" with the team's overall performance.
Playing in front a partisan crowd at the floodlit Kalinga Stadium, India by far were the better side on display and outplayed Australia in terms of ball possession.
Rupinder said the two matches against Argentina and England has put the team in competition-mode.
While preparing for the Hockey World League Final, the Indian team will play practice matches against Olympic Gold medallists Argentina on November 27 and England on November 28 respectively.
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