The Indian men’s hockey team maintained its unbeaten run since returning to competitive play earlier this year, sharing eight goals with 2016 Olympic Games gold medal winner Argentina in the second practice match in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. The two warm-up games set India up nicely for the two FIH Pro League matches on April 11 and 12.
Varun Kumar (7th minute and 44th), Rajkumar Pal (13th) and Rupinder Pal Singh (14th) scored for India while Leandro Tolini (10th), Lucas Toscani (23rd), Ignacio Ortiz (42nd), Lucas (57th) scored for the resilient home team in a tense match. India, currently fourth in the Pro League charts with 10 points from six matches, had won the opening game 4-3 on Tuesday.
Indian coach Graham Reid will be pleased that for the second match running, India was able score three times from set pieces. He will be just as concerned that India let slip a comfortable 3-1 lead and allowed Argentina to eke out a draw. India has now played six matches on return to competitive play, including two each against Germany, Britain and Argentina.
“The match was very similar to our first practice game. We had opportunities to close out the match, but we didn’t take them,” Reid said. “On the weekend (at the double-header in FIH Hockey Pro League), we need to be more mindful of our thoroughness at both ends of the pitch ensuring we are more frugal in defence and clinical in attack.”
India’s well-structured attack fetched it three goals in the first quarter. Forward Mandeep Singh helped India earn a penalty corner which was converted by dragflicker Varun Kumar. Argentina bounced back through a penalty corner. Leandro Tolini, who scored twice in the previous match, came up with a well-executed dragflick to equalise.
However, India regained the lead with a Rajkumar Pal goal that capped a good pass by attacking midfielder Nilakanta Sharma. And in less than a minute, forward Lalit Upadhyay earned a penalty corner that helped Rupinder Pal Singh score to take India to 3-1.
The teams traded penalty corners early in the second quarter, but neither was successful. However, in the 23rd minute, Argentina’s Lucas Toscani struck a fine goal to reduce the lead to 3-2. India responded with aggressive attack but was unable to convert its forays into entry into the circle.
The two sides tried to gain ascendancy after the half-time and played at a good tempo. It was the home side that earned a penalty corner. Argentina’s attacking midfielder Ignacio Ortiz made the most of the opportunity and helped his team equalise 3-3. India pushed hard and found its fourth goal through forward Dilpreet Singh’s efforts in securing a penalty corner for Varun to convert.
The final quarter was a battle of nerves with the home team stepping on the pedal. Indian goal-keeper Krishan Pathak did well to save a penalty corner effort by Argentina, but he was beaten by Lucas with three minutes left for the hooter.
Image: Rupinder Pal Singh celebrates his goal (Photo: Rodrigo Jaramillo, WorldSportpics, Courtesy: Hockey India)
