Indian Men’s Hockey team has qualified for the quarterfinals after defeating Argentina 3-1. They will play their last match against Japan. Regardless of the result, India will stay at the 2nd spot in Pool A. After a debacle against Australia, India has bounced back really well with two consecutive wins.
Varun Kumar scored first for India, but his goal was canceled by Argentina’s Casella. However, India scored 2 late goals by Vivek Sagar Prasad and Harmanpreet Singh to ensure that they book their place in the quarterfinals after defeating Argentina. India started the match at a good pace as defenders gave no clear-cut chance to defending champion to find that rhythm in midfield.
India’s finishing was not clinical even in the second quarter and it remained scoreless after the end of the first half.
In the third quarter, the pressure by Indian forwards finally delivered as Varun Kumar gave the team a much-needed breakthrough after converting a very well worked penalty corner. During the dying minutes of the quarter, Graham Reid’s men were close to double their lead but Argentina goalkeeper Juan Manuel came big for his team again by saving a nicely worked PC by the Indian team.
In the fourth quarter, Argentina responded well and levelled the match against India as Casella stormed the ball past Sreejesh.
With the match going for a draw, Vivek Sagar Prasad came with an absolute poacher of a finish to regain the lead for the team. Minutes later Harmanpreet Singh came clutch for India from PC and sealed the match for India.
After this victory, India has now won three matches in their group. India had also defeated eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
