Hockey, FIH Pro League, India vs Argentina as it happened: Men win shootout bonus; women lose 0-5
A recap of the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams’ FIH Pro League matches against Argentina.
Results: India women 0-5 Argentina women; India men (5) 2-2 (4) Argentina men
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Hockey, FIH Pro League: With new coach, captain at helm, Indian women’s team look towards new era
Hockey, FIH Pro League: Indian men’s team get ready to fine-tune Paris squad in Europe leg
That’s it from us today! Do join us tomorrow at 10.15pm IST as the men’s and women’s teams take on hosts Belgium.
FT, India (5) 2-2 (4) Argentina: India give away a late goal to be held by Argentina. Fulton would not be pleased with it. PR Sreejesh picks up the player of the match award for another good day in the Indian goal. It looks increasingly likely that it will be the Kerala custodian who will be on the flight to Paris ahead of Krishan Pathak.
PS, India 5-4 Argentina: India get the bonus point! Sreejesh with a good tackle to deny Toscani!
PS, India 5-4 Argentina: Quick hands from Sukhjeet as he puts India ahead.
PS, India 4-4 Argentina: Another superb penalty from Harmanpreet. Casella then levels it for Argentina.
PS, India 3-3 Argentina: Abhishek with a superb attempt to tie the shootout and force sudden death!
PS, India 2-3 Argentina: Argentina have the ball in the back of the net but it is chalked off as the ball came off the back stick!
PS, India 2-3 Argentina: Argentina take the lead and then Raj Kumar Pal sees his attempt saved!
PS, India 2-2 Argentina: We’re level in the shootout as Argentina score before Lalit misses from his attempt.
PS, India 2-1 Argentina: Sukhjeet Singh gives India the lead in the shootout!
PS, India 1-1 Argentina: What a save from Sreejesh! Herded the player to his stick side before sticking out his leg to push the ball away!
PS, India 1-1 Argentina: Casella scores before Harmanpreet draws India level with the most nonchalant of nutmegs on Santiago.
Q4, India 2-2 Argentina: Argentina score! Domene’s attempt takes a touch off Rohidas and flies past Sreejesh into the top corner. We will have a penalty shootout to decide who gets the bonus point.
Q4, India 2-1 Argentina: Domene’s attempt is saved well by Sreejesh. Manpreet and an Argentine player both go for the loose ball but both miss it and end up hitting each others’ stick. Argentina review and win another PC.
Q4, India 2-1 Argentina: Argentina win a PC with 40 seconds on the clock. Sukhjeet guilty of giving away the ball.
Q4, India 2-1 Argentina: Argentina take off Santiago and add another outfield player to try and get the equaliser with less than two minutes left on the clock.
Q4, India 2-1 Argentina: India take the lead! Lalit Kumar Upadhyay has largely been a peripheral figure in the match but comes up with the goal to put India ahead. Jarmanpreet cut the ball back and Lalit had the simplest of tap ins.
Q4, India 1-1 Argentina: Della Torre barges into Sukhjeet and gives away a PC. Jugraj Singh has a crack at it. Santiago saves it, Harman smacks the rebound back at goal only for Santiago to parry it away.
Q4, India 1-1 Argentina: Stunning triple save from Sreejesh to deny Della Torre and Matias Rey. Sreejesh then combines with Jarmanpreet to deny Domene before Bugallo puts the rebound above the goal.
Q4, India 1-1 Argentina: India lose their referral looking for a PC. To rub salt into their wounds, Argentina win a PC at the other end.
Q4, India 1-1 Argentina: It has been a good tactical battle between these two sides. India patiently passing and probing while Argentina defend deep.
Q4, India 1-1 Argentina: No swapping of goalkeepers from India today as Sreejesh continues in goal for the fourth quarter.
End of Q3, India 1-1 Argentina: Superb defending from Della Torre to deny India! A delicious pass from the deep opens up the Argentine defence. Sukhjeet quickly passes it to Mandeep who plays it across Santiago to Raj Kumar Pal who only had to tap the ball in. Della Torre gets the crucial touch which takes the ball away from Pal. Abhishek tries his luck but finds the outside of the goal.
Q3, India 1-1 Argentina: After a sustained spell of Argentine possession, India have the ball and lay siege to the Argentine goal. Sukhjeet Singh does well to test Santiago and Argentina finally comes away with the ball.
Q3, India 1-1 Argentina: Argentina have started the second half strongly. India need to keep more of the ball.
HT, India 1-1 Argentina, Craig Fulton: We were better in the first quarter, they were better in the second. It’s a tight game. We need to keep the ball more.
HT, India 1-1 Argentina: There goes the hooter to signal for halftime. That was an entertaining half of hockey. India started brightly and took the lead with a well-taken goal from Mandeep. However, Argentina grew into the game and deservedly pulled a goal back. Fulton wouldn’t be too pleased with how his team allowed Argentina to come back into the match.
Q2, India 1-1 Argentina: We have a first glimpse of Harmanpreet Singh’s drag flick in Antwerp. India get back-to-back-to-back PCs but goalkeeper Santiago and first rusher Habif do well to deny the Indian skipper.
Q2, India 1-1 Argentina: Argentina draw level! Sreejesh did really well to save Domene’s drag flick. Agustin Bugallo charges down on the loose ball hurrying Jarmanpreet who misses the ball. The ball bounces off the Indian’s shin and Lucas Martinez taps the ball in at the far post.
Q2, India 1-0 Argentina: India living on the edge now. Thomas Habif came very close to level the score after a good pass from Tomas Domene. Soon after, Argentina counter and win a PC off Rohidas.
Q2, India 1-0 Argentina: Argentina win the first penalty corner of the match after Agustin Mazzilli plays the ball off Sumit’s foot. Nicolas Della Torre is on PC duty. Excellent rushing from Amit Rohidas to close down and win a free hit out.
End of Q1, India 1-0 Argentina: India saved by the hooter! Argentina put the ball in the goal but seconds after the hooter went off! A nice attack from the South Americans with the clock winding down. The ball cannoned off the post to an unmarked Maico Casella who squeezes the ball between Sreejesh and the post.
Q1, India 1-0 Argentina: India take the lead! Argentina were building patiently from the back but they gave away possession cheaply at the halfway line. India attack quickly with some lovely exchange of passes between Raj Kumar Pal and Abhishek before the latter fires the ball at the near post. Mandeep Singh times his run perfectly and puts it into goal. India deservedly ahead.
Q1, India 0-0 Argentina: Argentina make their first foray into the Indian circle. Sreejesh makes a routine save. Harmanpreet moves on to put the loose ball away. Tobias Martins runs to block it and clatters into Sreejesh flooring the Indian goalkeeper.
Q1, India 0-0 Argentina: India are awarded a penalty corner after Sukhjeet Singh seemingly played the ball onto the foot of an Argentine defender. Argentina review immediately and get the decision overturned. The ball had come off the stick.
Q1, India 0-0 Argentina: India get us started in Antwerp. Harmanpreet pings in a pass from deep towards the right wing. Jarmanpreet Singh redirects it towards Mandeep Singh but he does not read the pass quickly enough.
India vs Argentina: And we’re back. Harmanpreet Singh leads out India on to the pitch in Antwerp. India, third in the Pro League, take on fourth-placed Argentina. India won both matches these two sides played last season in the first month of Fulton’s tenure.
India vs Argentina: The men’s team will be in action 30 minutes from now. We’ll be back soon with updates from that match.
FT, IND 0-5 ARG: And the hooter goes off to end India’s misery in Antwerp. There was glimmer of hope in the third quarter but Argentina were ruthless when they got their chances.
Q4, IND 0-5 ARG: A quick double for Jankunas and Argentina have their fifth! A nice touch to get past Nikki Pradhan and she finds herself one-on-one against Bichu. The Indian has come off the line and Jankunas goes low and hard and scores!
Q4, IND 0-4 ARG: Nearly a fifth goal for the South Americans! Thome’s attempt loops up off an Indian stick. Bichu is at full stretch but misses the ball as it comes off the crossbar. An inch lower and that would have fallen gently into goal.
Q4, IND 0-4 ARG: What a goal from Julieta Jankunas! Argentina counter with Sofia Cairo finding Jankunas in the circle. Jankunas stops the ball and with her back to the goal, reverse hits the ball past a diving Bichu into the top corner! A really well taken goal that.
Q4, IND 0-3 ARG: Deepika comes close once again! She finds herself in acres of space in the centre of the circle. She goes for the reverse hit but does not get enough power behind it. Allows Cristina Cosentino to scramble to her left and save with her foot.
Q3, IND 0-3 ARG: Argentina win another PC with 16 seconds left on the clock. They try another variation but the ball flies wide off the Indian goal. A much better performance from India in the third quarter.
Q3, IND 0-3 ARG: Argentina score against the run of play! Argentina attack from the right. Thome’s pass inside the circle loops up. Victoria Miranda does really well to bring it down and with her back to the goal, reverse hits the ball past Bichu Devi. The Indian keeper did not have enough time to react. That goal will hurt India who have played much better since the break.
Q3, IND 0-2 ARG: Harendra Singh wanted his midfielders and forwards to be more proactive and they are delivering. Running with purpose and harrying their opponents.
Q3, IND 0-2 ARG: India hit the post! Lovely work from Sangita Kumari before Deepika’s reverse hit cannons off the post. Udita smacks it from just outside the circle. None of her teammates can get the vital touch on the ball as it flies in.
Q3, IND 0-2 ARG: Argentina begin the third quarter and win a PC straight away. Brave defending from Ishika Chaudhary to put her body on the line to block the shot. Gorzelany aims for the top corner but sends it well wide off the goal.
HT, IND 0-2 ARG, Harendra Singh: We need more pressure on the ball. Need more fluidity from our midfielders and striker to manipulate their defenders.
HT, IND 0-2 ARG: Argentina ease off and India finally have all of their players in the Argentinian half. Argentina are solid and do not let India get near the shooting circle. The hooter goes off to end the first half.
Q2, IND 0-2 ARG: Less than three minutes left in the half as Argentina win back-to-back penalty corners. Navneet Kaur denies Gorzelany at the post both times. India will end the quarter with 10 players with Jyothi Chhatri getting a green card.
Q2, IND 0-2 ARG: Argentina double their advantage. They win their fifth PC and opt for a neat variation. The ball is stopped and played ahead to the right. Valentina Raposo has a lot of time and space to fire the ball across Bichu and into the back of the goal.
Q2, IND 0-1 ARG: Bichu Devi makes two good saves in a span of a minute. Has look solid so far, the back up Indian keeper.
Q2, IND 0-1 ARG: Argentina have been relentless with their press double and triple teaming the Indian players. A stroke of luck allows India to beat the press. However the attack comes to nothing.
Q2, IND 0-1 ARG: A fourth PC for Argentina. Gorzelany goes for goal but is denied by a super first rush by Tete. The Argentinian’s drag flick struck Tete on the hip and the Indian gets the free hit out.
Q2, IND 0-1 ARG: A rare mis-pass from Argentina and India break on the counter. Salima Tete makes her way to the Argentine circle. However, she loses the ball and ends up fouling her defender.
Q2, IND 0-1 ARG: A one-sided first quarter ends with Argentina deservedly in the lead. And they start the second quarter winning possession right after push back and pegging India back.
Q1, IND 0-1 ARG: Argentina take the lead! At the third time of asking, Argentina score from a penalty corner! Gorzelany goes low and to the right. Bichu sticks out her leg but can only deflect it past Navneet Kaur on the goalline.
Q1, IND 0-0 ARG: The first big chance of the match goes to Argentina. They win possession high up and break. Lara Casas leads the counter with only Udita in front of her. She spots Delfina Thome’s run and plays a good pass. Thome pulls the trigger but misses the ball and it rolls wide of the goal.
Q1, IND 0-0 ARG: Dan Strange informs us that Savita is unwell and so won’t be in action today.
Q1, IND 0-0 ARG: India barely hanging on at the moment. In back to back possessions, Neha Goyal and Nikki Pradhan lose the ball deep inside their own half. Fortunately, Argentina aren’t able to punish them for their respective lapses.
Q1, IND 0-0 ARG: Argentina win another PC. This time the injection goes to Sofia Toccalino who takes a touch and slaps it goalwards. Bichu saw the routine coming from a mile away and had lain flat on the turf. The ball comes to a stop on under her legs and a teammate clears it away.
Q1, IND 0-0 ARG: Udita inadvertently plays the ball onto her own foot while cutting an Argentinian pass in her own circle and gives away the first penalty corner of the match. Agustina Gorzelany’s drag-flick strikes the post and flies away!
Q1, IND 0-0 ARG: India get us started but as expected, it is Argentina who are imposing themselves early on. Bichu Devi is called into action early on.
IND vs ARG: The national anthems are done with. Dan Strange on the comms informs us that India only have 17 players today with Savita not even on the bench. Hopefully nothing serious.
India vs Argentina: Here come the two sides. Weird to see India not being led out by Savita Punia. The reigning FIH women’s goalkeeper of the year also starts on the bench today with the young Bichu Devi starting the match.
Here’s new India coach Harendra Singh: My expectation is to play simple and best hockey. Our process will take time. I am hoping for some nice Indian masala hockey in Europe (smiles)
India vs Argentina: Salima Tete’s first assignment as captain will be leading her side out against Tokyo Olympics silver medallists Argentina. The world No 2 side are currently third in the Pro League standings behind defending champions Netherlands and Asian Games champions China. India, on the other hand, are sixth having won two matches, drawn one and lost five matches. India’s aim over the next eight matches is to avoid relegation. They have some breathing room as they have a seven-point lead over the United States, who along with Belgium and Great Britain, are yet to win a match this season. The latter two sides have only played four matches and are expected to win a fair of their remaining 12 matches. A couple of wins or draws should be enough for India to extend their stay in the Pro League.
Hello and welcome to Scroll’s coverage of the 2023-24 FIH Pro League matches in Antwerp, Belgium.
The Indian men’s and women’s teams are back in action in the FIH Pro League with their European tours commencing in Belgium.
Both teams have different priorities on this tour with the men preparing for the Paris Olympics while the women embark on a new era following Janneke Schopman’s departure.
Both teams will begin their tour in Europe against the men’s and women’s team of Argentina in Antwerp. The women’s will take the field first at 3.45pm IST with the men playing at 6.00pm IST.
Indian women’s squad
Goalkeepers: Savita Punia, Bichu Devi Kharibam
Defenders: Nikki Pradhan, Udita Duhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri, Mahima Chaudhary
Midfielders: Salima Tete (Captain), Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Navneet Kaur (Vice captain), Neha Goyal, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Lalremsiami
Forwards: Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo, Deepika Soreng
Indian men’s squad
Goalkeepers: Sreejesh Parattu Raveendran, Krishan Bahadur Pathak
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Sanjay, Vishnukant Singh
Midfielders: Hardik Singh (vice captain), Vivek Sagar Prasad, Manpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen
Forwards: Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Abhishek, Akashdeep Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Boby Singh Dhami