Argentina is the team that travelled most to reach Raipur and they proved how long way India has to go in order to catch up with the likes of them in the eye-opener of a contest which ironically happens to be the tournament opener.
Argentinean player turned coach Carlos Retegui had a last laugh yesterday at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel stadium in Raipur where his neat and clean hockey outdid India in all the departments.
Carlos, a player of repute not in the distant, but in the recent past, doubled up as Men and Women’s coach of Argenitna at The Hague World Cup. Men won their first bronze while the legend Luciana Aiyer led Angles got silver.
There was a lot of talk, doubt and curiosity as to how could a single coach can handle two national teams at the same time, but this dynamic coach, who kept silent ever since coming here — sending his deputies and players for media interaction – at last spoke: on the field.
His boys everyone of them showed a clean heel of pairs to India in all aspects of the game, and did not allow the Indians to settle.
Whether it is using entire width of the pitch, switching sides, to be sharp and opportunistic inside the circle, Carlos’ boys did all not to allow any leeway for the Indian midfield and forwards.
It was due to the great saves of Indian goalie PR Sreejesh and reliable Birendra Lakra, India escaped without any tennis scoreline.
The Argentinean onslaught was possible because this is one team that plays straight bat.
They have made it clear they came here to win, not to manipulate the first three matches or experiment, and try to peak in the second phase.
It was their straight approach that paid dividends.
They came to win, and won.
This one win will give enormous confidence to the Pan American Champions who are byname for fitness and athleticism anyway.
“This is the most important win. We felt playing under crowd pressure and doing normal play was our huge challenge. So we were very particular to come out successful against India. This was also our first game. We want to win, and so we. Am happy”.
This is how he spoke after the win.