In an intense match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team secured a 1-1 draw against Argentina in their second Pool B encounter. The match, held at Stade Yves-du-Manoir, saw Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh score a crucial goal from a penalty corner in the 59th minute, leveling the game after Lucas Martinez had given Argentina the lead in the second quarter.
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Early Struggles and Missed Opportunities
India, ranked fifth in the world, began the match with promise and was awarded their first penalty corner in the 10th minute. However, Sanjay’s shot was saved by Argentina’s goalkeeper, Tomas Santiago. A minute later, India had another chance, but Abhishek’s strike hit the post. Veteran Indian goalie PR Sreejesh made a significant save off Agustin Mazzilli, keeping the scoreline level at the end of the first quarter.
Argentina Takes the Lead
The second quarter saw Argentina, ranked seventh globally, take control. Despite India earning three consecutive penalty corners four minutes into the quarter, Argentina’s keeper saved all attempts. Lucas Martinez broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, giving Argentina the lead. They continued to dominate the third quarter, creating multiple chances, but the Indian defense, led by PR Sreejesh, held firm. A key moment came when Maico Casella’s penalty stroke was thwarted by India, keeping them in the game.
Resilient Defense and Missed Penalty Corners
As the match progressed, Tomas Domene of Argentina came close to scoring from a couple of penalty corners, but failed to capitalize. Towards the end of the third quarter, India missed another penalty corner opportunity, with Sukhjeet Singh’s shot being saved by Santiago.
A Dramatic Finish
In the fourth quarter, India pushed hard for an equalizer. Abhishek had a strong chance two minutes before the end, followed by attempts from Hardik Singh and Harmanpreet Singh, both saved by the Argentine goalkeeper on consecutive penalty corners. Persistence paid off when Harmanpreet Singh finally converted a penalty corner in the 59th minute, ensuring a 1-1 draw just before the final whistle.
Current Standings and Upcoming Matches
With this draw, India now has a win and a draw from their two matches, placing them third in Pool B with four points. Belgium and Australia top the table with six points each. Earlier in their campaign, India secured a late 3-2 victory over New Zealand. Up next, India is set to face Ireland in their third Pool B match on Tuesday, continuing their quest for Olympic glory.