Indian women’s hockey team stayed winless in the European leg of the FIH Pro League 2023-24 season as it went down 3-0 to Argentina in Antwerp, Belgium on Sunday.
The women’s team, then led by goalkeeper Savita Punia, failed to qualify for Paris Olympics after finishing fourth in the qualifiers in Ranchi in January and a month later, head coach Janneke Schopman resigned from her post.
Harendra Singh is on his first assignment as the new head coach and this was a fourth straight loss for the women’s team, now playing under the captaincy of Salima Tete.
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India had lost 5-0 to the same opponent on May 22 before 2-0 and 2-1 defeats against Belgium on May 23 and May 25, respectively.
Argentina took the game by storm in the very first minute, dissecting the Indian high press and penetrating to the shooting circle, where Celina Di Santo deflected Maria Granatto’s shot on goal to score the first goal. As India struggled to play out of its half, a period of Argentinian dominance followed, resulting in a penalty corner eight minutes into the game, but it failed to extend its lead. India began stringing a few passes together and grew into the game. It forced Argentine goalkeeper Clara Barberi into action after a low drive into the circle from Udita found Lalremsiami, who dived to direct it towards goal but failed to score.
Argentina regained control of proceedings in the second quarter but an alert duo of goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam and Salima helped keep it at bay. A rare Indian foray into the shooting circle resulted in a penalty corner but Deepika’s drag flick was comfortably swatted away. Argentina pegged India back for the rest of the quarter but the Indian defence held firm to keep the scoreline 0-1 heading into the second half.
India earned a penalty corner early in the third quarter but failed to create a goalscoring opportunity. As the quarter progressed India attempted to push up the pitch but was unable to create any significant chances. Argentina made a breakthrough in the 39th minute, as Maria Campoy picked up the ball on the left wing and bulldozed into the circle, dodging a few challenges and slotting it past Savita to double the lead. India had a chance to score in the last minute of the quarter but Navneet Kaur’s tomahawk was saved by Clara Barberi.
Argentina earned a penalty corner as soon as the final quarter began and Maria Granatto directed Agustina Gorzelany’s flick over Savita in goal to further solidify the lead. Argentina stepped up the intensity after the goal and pegged India back, creating multiple chances through Maria Granatto but a resilient Indian backline managed to thwart any further advances.
In the women’s standings, India is seventh with eight points in 12 games while Argentina is second with 26 points.
India next faces Germany in London on Saturday.
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