India Men’s Hockey Team Beat Argentina 4-3 To Start Tour On Winning Note
The Indian men’s hockey staff made a constructive commence to its tour of Argentina, beating the reigning Olympic champions four-3 in the first practice match. Nilakanta Sharma (16th minute), Harmanpreet Singh (twenty eighth), Rupinder Pal Singh (thirty third) and Varun Kumar (forty seventh) were being the target scorers for India late on Tuesday night time. Dragflicker Leandro Tolini (35th, 53rd) and Maico Casella (41st) scored for the dwelling staff. “It was a incredibly excellent practice match, intensely fought by equally groups. It is usually pleasant to arrive up with a earn versus a staff like Olympic Champions Argentina as it amplifies our assurance ranges,” India coach Graham Reid mentioned of the earn.
Both of those groups were being gradual to get off the blocks in the first quarter, but it was India who picked up pace in the second quarter.
Shilanand Lakra was the creator of India’s first target as his immaculate help uncovered Nilakanta inside the circle and the striker set the ball earlier Argentina’s goalkeeper to hand the readers lead.
India, thereafter, pushed the hosts on the backfoot with persistent assaults.
Argentina replied to India’s aggressive present by securing a penalty corner before long but professional custodian PR Sreejesh made a amazing conserve to continue to keep the hosts at bay.
Dilpreet Singh then gained India a penalty corner in the twenty eighth minute and Harmanpreet made no miscalculation to hand his staff a 2- lead with a potent strike.
Argentina made a powerful comeback in the 3rd quarter as they scored in the thirty second minute by using Tolini, who was spot on when converting a penalty corner.
But India were being speedy to reply as they won a set piece in the thirty third minute by Jaskaran Singh and this time the seasoned Rupinder was bang on concentrate on to give a the travellers a 3-1 lead.
Argentina, nonetheless, reduced the margin again with a further target in the forty second minute by Casella.
Shortly after the Argentines gained a further penalty corner but younger India goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak arrived to his side’s rescue.
India set up a resolute battle to retain their lead in the closing quarter. In the forty seventh minute, Dilpreet gained a further penalty corner for India and this time Varun, who has returned to the squad after recovering from a hamstring injury, despatched the ball crashing into the Argentina internet.
While Argentina pulled a further back in the 53rd minute by Tolini, the checking out staff set up a spirited defence to finish the video game in its favour.
“We were being able to build possibilities in the circle and also convert them. This was just one of the places we definitely set our minds to in the countrywide camp,” Reid mentioned.
“But we allowed Argentina to arrive back into the video game significantly in the 3rd quarter where they scored two times. When you play a powerful staff like them, we need to be consistent in all the quarters,” he added.
India will play their second practice match versus Olympic champions Argentina on Wednesday.
“Each individual match we play is a studying knowledge and I experience we have scope to do improved. We look forward to a excellent match on Wednesday as well.
Promoted
“These matches will absolutely support us when we take on the dwelling staff in the double header Professional League matches,” Reid mentioned.
The Indian staff is scheduled to play six matches versus Argentina all through its sixteen-day tour like the double-header FIH Hockey Professional league matches on April 11 and 12.
Matters described in this report