India spread their wings
Men in Blue edge Olympic champs Argentina for 2nd straight win
Breda (The Netherlands),
June 24: India continued their unbeaten run in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament and surprised Olympic champions Argentina 2-1 for a second consecutive win in the 37th and last edition of the prestigious tournament here on Sunday.
India scored both their goals in the second quarter through Harmanpreet Singh (17th minute), who converted a penalty corner, and Mandeep Singh (28th).
World number two Argentina’s lone goal came from the sticks of dragflciker Gonzalo Peillat, who scored from a set piece in the 30th minute.
India, eying their maiden Champions Trophy title, had earlier crushed bitterrivals Pakistan 4-0 in their campaign opener on Saturday.
India now sit atop the sixteam standings with two wins from as many games.
The eight-time Olympic champions will take on world champions Australia in their next round robin match on June 27.
India carried on from where they left against Pakistan and produced a solid display in all departments of the game to get the better of their fancied rivals. The defence, India’s perennial problem, stole the show with a compact display, while the attackers were up to the mark despite missing Ramandeep Singh owing to a knee injury.
Sardar Singh, playing in his 300th international game, controlled the midfield and combined well with the forwardline to create opportunities.
Argentina secured three consecutive penalty corners in the first quarter, but the Indian defence stood tall.
India earned a penalty corner in the 17th minute and Harmanpreet fired home with a low flick through the legs of Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago. Two minutes from half time, India doubled their lead through Mandeep, capitalising on Dilpreet Singh’s assist.
Argentina pulled one goal back just at the stroke of half time through Peillat’s powerful strike.