India defeated Argentina 3-2 on Monday to clinch the bronze medal at the Champions Challenge hockey tournament in Salta, Argentina, according to information received here.
India overcame a two-goal deficit to claim third place after their Champions Trophy hopes were dashed following a semifinal loss to arch-rivals Pakistan.
India trailed 0-2 inside the first half an hour before goals from V. Raghunath (35th minute), Gurbaz Singh (54th) and Dhananjay Mahadik (69th) sealed their win. The game started on a cautious note with both the teams taking time before going on the offensive.
Argentina managed a series of penalty corners only to see goalkeeper P. Sreejesh foil their efforts. However, Facundo Callioni opened the account for the hosts in the 22nd minute.
India tried to shift play into the Argentinean half but Callioni hit the target again soon with a spectacular diving deflection.
Stung by the quick goals, the Indians hit back. In the 35th minute, Raghunath converted a penalty corner to reduce the deficit to 1-2 and get the momentum back.
The Indians maintained the tempo and put pressure on their rivals in the first 10 minutes of the second half but defenders Ibarra, Fernando Zylberberg, Ignacio Bergner and Juan Tomas Espinosa did not give them an easy run. Argentina had an opportunity to stretch the lead in the 60th minute but Thomas Argento’s spectacular reverse missed the mark by a whisker.
India found the equaliser in the 54th minute through Gurbaj with the help of Tushar Khandker on the backline.
Thereafter, the visitors found their rhythm and dominated the field before Mahadik scored the winner through a penalty corner.