Harmanpreet Singh’s late goal salvaged a point for India, which held Argentina to an exciting 1-1 draw in a Pool B hockey match of the Paris Olympics at the Yves du Manoir Stadium here on Monday.
On a bright and sunny day, India came back from behind for a second consecutive time before its next engagement against Ireland on Tuesday.
Despite showing aggression and 11 circle penetrations, India could not convert its chances, including four penalty corners, and trailed by a goal at half-time.
The Craig Fulton-coached side put pressure early on, penetrated the circle a few times and got a short corner in the 10th minute. Abhishek came close to scoring a spectacular goal when his reverse hit from the left hit the crossbar.
India dominated, securing three consecutive penalty corners in the second period, but Harmanpreet’s shots were well blocked by the Argentines, led by its rock-like goalkeeper Thomas Santiago.
The Los Leones launched some fine counterattacks and ensured the lead in the 22nd minute. Bautista Capurro Zubeldia displayed individual brilliance on the right to beat three Indian defenders. He relayed it to Lucas Martinez, whose shot along the wobbly surface got deflected from Sreejesh’s stick into the goal.
With athletics legend and IOA president P.T. Usha in the stands, the die-hard Indian fans tried to boost the players’ morale.
Argentina got a short corner, which resulted in a penalty stroke in the third quarter. However, Macio Casella shot wide.
The Agustin Mazzilli-captained team earned two more penalty corners but India warded off the danger.
India had some chances without finishing. It valued possession and tried to create openings even as Argentina’s sound defensive structure prevented any breach.
With four minutes left, Sreejesh was taken off to press harder. Following a bit of drama, due to confusion between the television umpire and on-field umpires, India secured four more short corners and Harmanpreet’s powerful shot, from the ninth penalty corner, got deflected off a defender’s stick to level the score.
“We need to start better. We cannot concede goals first in two matches,” said Fulton.
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