Buenos Aires, 27 January 2021: World No. 2 Argentina came back strongly in the final quarter to overturn a 1-2 deficit and beat World No. 9 India 3-2 in a hockey international here on Tuesday. The visitors fell 0-1 behind but Sharmila’s goal in the 34th minute restored parity. Gurjit Kaur then put away a well-executed penalty corner to make it 2-1 for India five minutes later.

Though India set-up an early lead with Sharmila’s equaliser in the 34th minute and Gurjit Kaur scoring off a brilliantly executed PC in the 40th minute to lead 2-1, the experienced Argentinian side fought back in the final quarter scoring in the 50th and 57th minutes through Augustina Gorzelany and Granatto Maria respectively.

“We were close to a win but against an opponent like Argentina, you have to stay concentrated till the final hooter. The biggest take away from this match is to keep up the consistency in all four quarters,” opined Chief Coach Sjoerd Marijne after the well-fought match.

Though Argentina put India on the backfoot early in the match, earning a PC in the 6th minute, India goalkeeper Savita made a splendid save to ward off early danger. Argentina continued to push for opportunities all through the second quarter too, creating PCs in the 21st and 23rd minutes but India’s PC defence held the fort. It was Micaela Retegui who fetched the 1-0 lead for the home team in the 25th minute with a swiftly converted goal.

After the ten-minute half time break, India made a strong comeback into the game, playing disciplined structure, closing the gaps in the 25yards mark, not allowing Argentina to make easy forays into their circle. The forwardline, in the meantime hunted for goals and succeeded in the 34th minute when Navjot Kaur setup young forward Sharmila to make the strike. Though Argentina earned a PC in the 38th minute, India did well to hold the home team at 1-1.

In the 40th minute, India’s lone drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur setup a crucial 2-1 lead with a powerfully struck goal. In the following minutes, both India and Argentina traded a PC each, but none managed to convert. It was eventually a penalty stroke awarded to Argentina in the 50th minute that changed the course of the match.

“After we scored 2-1 lead, we were in a few situations where we could have stayed calmer and try to increase the goal-difference by scoring more. Against a team like Argentina, you have to lead by more than a goal to secure a win else they will catch-up. These are valuable lessons for us, and this is what we would like to improve in the next game,” stated Marijne.

So far

The team drew two matches (2-2,1-1) and suffered two losses (1-2 and 2-3) in matches against the Argentina junior and ‘B’ squads.

What Next

India take on the Argentina on Friday, 29th January at 0200 hours IST.

The remaining fixtures of the Argentina Tour (Sr. Women) will be telecasted on the Watch.Hockey platform. (Both phone and web version available)

1. Argentina vs India Women’s -29/01/21 @ 02.00am (IST)
2. Argentina vs India Women’s -30/01/21 @ 09.30pm (IST)
3. Argentina vs India Women’s -31/01/21 @ 08.30pm (IST)

 Link for Download the app is mentioned below and web version is also available (Watch.Hockey)

For Apple users: apple.co/2FsIaoh

For Android users: rb.gy/qkrhcx