Indian juniors overcame stiff resistance from Argentina in their third match to collect full three points in the fifth Sultan of Johor Cup being played at Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
The junior world cup finalists of 2001 proved their mettle dishing out an exciting hockey, with each side marking good moves.
India struck early in the 3rd minute, with Arman Qureshi bemusing Argentinean goal-keeper Emiliano Bosso (1-0)
Indian colts got their second success in the 11th minute when forward Gurjant Singh received a pass and he hit the ball hard into the nets (2-0). Indians continued to press, got a penalty corner too but could not convert.
In the 39th minute, the Argentina earned a penalty corner and their captain Maico Casella converted (1-2).
Indian midfielders Santa Singh, Manpreet, Simranjeet Singh and skipper Harjeet Singh held the midfield with their quick passes and tried to create more opportunities for the forwards. In the 50th minute, India through a penalty corner opportunity scored their third goal coming from the stick Nilakanta Sharma (3-1).
Argentineans charged back from the right flank and in the 54th minute, Nicolas Keenan perfectly deflected a pass into the nets for their second goal. But it was too late for Argentina to come back into the game and India won by 3-2.
India will face the hosts Malaysia in their fourth match at 6:05 pm on 15th October 2015.