Spirited India go down fighting to Argentina
Gonzalo Peillat slams hattrick as Olympic champs beat India 32 in opener
IPOH(MALAYSIA): India found themselves at the receiving end of star penalty corner specialist Gonzalo Peillat’s hat-trick as they lost 2-3 against Olympic champions Argentina in their opening match of the Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here on Saturday.
All the goals of the rain-affected match came off penalty corners with Peillat sounding the board in the 13th, 24th and 33rd minutes while Amit Rohidas (26th, 31st) scored for India.
Play was stopped for nearly an hour in the fourth quarter due to heavy rain and thunderstorm.
India dominated the first quarter as their young forwards pushed the Argentine defenders to create space in the striking circle.
Talwinder Singh and debut Sumit Kumar were impressive as they attempted to beat Argentina’s experienced goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi early in the match.
India made as many as four circle entries against Argentina’s two and it was Sumit Kumar’s burst into the baseline that gave India hopes of a first goal within the first 10 minutes, but Argentine defenders were defiant.
Minutes later, a long ball assist to Talwinder was picked up well but he could not make an effective connect to put it past Vivaldi.
Though India did well to limit Argentina’s shots at goal, an infringement in the Indian circle helped Isidoro Ibarra earn Argentina the first penalty corner.
With drag-flicker Peillat in their ranks, giving away PCs meant trouble for India.
Peillat’s first attempt was blocked by first runner Amit Rohidas. But the second PC was superbly converted by Peillat in the 13th minute.
PLAY WAS STOPPED FOR NEARLY AN HOUR IN THE FOURTH QUARTER DUE TO HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORM