www.expressindia.com - Weather | Horoscope | Stocks | RSS
expressindia web city
HomeBlogsCricketAstrologyShopping TendersClassifieds Opinions Hotels
Sign In / Register | Archive
Expressindia » Story

India beat Argentina 3-2, lead 2-0 in series

Font Size

Agencies

Posted: Jan 20, 2009 at 1138 hrs IST

Mar del Plata (Argentina) India registered their second successive win, defeating Argentina 3-2 in the keenly-contested second hockey Test at the Estadio Panamericano here on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

India, who made a comeback to international hockey after almost a year, beat Argentine 2-0 in the first Test on Monday. Centre-forward Shivendra Singh (12th min), Prabhjot Singh (40th min) and captain Sandeep Singh (59th min) scored the goals for the visitors while Mario Almada (13th) and Pedro Ibarra (46th) found the net for Argentina.

Eight-time Olympic champions, India, started from where they left on Monday and launched a flurry of attacks on the Argentine goal from the word go. Indian forward line of Prabhjot, last match's goal scorer Deepak Thakur and Shivendra continuously unnerved the experienced Argentine defence with frequent raids while Tushar Khandker was exemplary on the left flank.

As early as in the fourth minute, India had a chance of taking the lead but Argentina goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi saved Shivendra's deflection from a Prabhjot set up.

For the second consecutive day, the Indian mid-fielders and linkmen Vikram Pillay, Rajpal Singh and VS Vinaya were outstanding at their work, setting up the forwards with accurately measured passes.

The constant pressure on the Argentina goal finally bore fruit in the 12th minute when Shivendra deflected home from a Sandeep set piece to give India a 1-0 lead after Argentine medio Tomas Argento obstructed Thakur just outside the box.

However, the lead was shortlived as the hosts equalised in the very next minute through wily Almada who was lurking dangerously around the Indian striking circle and was quick to wrong foot the Indian defence.

Minutes later, Thakur nearly put India ahead from a beautifully worked out sortie. Rajpal Singh orchestrated the move to set up Khandker, who in tandem with Prabhjot, dribbled past Argentine full backs Lopez and Ibarra to find Thakur, but custodian Vivaldi once again came to Argentina's rescue foiling the striker's attempt.

The hosts too were nippy in their attacks and forced two penalty corners in quick succession but squandered both. In the 30th minute, India got a golden opportunity to surge ahead but Shivendra fumbled with only Argentine goalkeeper Vivaldi to beat.

Minutes before the half time, Khandker ensured that both the teams were locked at 1-1 at the half time with a goal line save after Argentina was awarded a shot corner following Sandeep's deliberate stick check.

India came out all guns blazing in the second half to regain the lead in the 40th minute off a counter attack set by Shivendra. Exhibiting classy baseline control and skills, Prabhjot and Khandker initiated the move and zeroed in before the former found the target to give the visitors 2-1.

Six minutes later the Indian's paid the price for their over aggression when Matias Rey stole the ball from Rajpal and sent a long overhead to unmarked Lucas Vila who took full advantage of Indian defender's casual attitude to set it up for Ibarra who made no mistake in levelling the scores.

In a bid to wrest the initiative, the contest turned fast and furious but skipper Sandeep eventually came up with the winner off a penalty corner in 59th minute when his powerful drag-flick convincingly beat Argentina custodian Vivaldi.

Although, Argentina tried hard to equalise, Indian defence stood their guard to thwart any last minute hiccup. The third Test between the two sides will be played here on Wednesday.

Discuss this story on expressindia forums
Post Comments
Name* Email ID*
Subject* Country*
Message*
Characters remaining
 
TERMS OF USE: The views, opinions and comments posted are your, and are not endorsed by this website. You shall be solely responsible for the comment posted here. The website reserves the right to delete, reject, or otherwise remove any views, opinions and comments posted or part thereof. You shall ensure that the comment is not inflammatory, abusive, derogatory, defamatory &/or obscene, or contain pornographic matter and/or does not constitute hate mail, or violate privacy of any person (s) or breach confidentiality or otherwise is illegal, immoral or contrary to public policy. Nor should it contain anything infringing copyright &/or intellectual property rights of any person(s).
I agree to the terms of use.
Team India is shaping well. by Dr. Cajetan Coelho on 20 Jan 2009

Fine victory over formidable Latin American sporting giants.

Latest News

Business

Showbiz

Sports

Madhu Koda arrested by Vigilance Commission

PM hopes US will get India 'official N-power status'

Kazmi removed as Kasab's lawyer for 'not co-operating'

Work stopped on Ladakh road after Chinese troops object

Absent MPs cause collapse of proceedings during 'Q' Hour

Violent protests over power tariff hike in Kolkata

Mumbai Police split wide open

More
Featured Services
© 2009 The Indian Express Limited. All rights reserved
The Indian Express Group | Advertise With Us | Privacy Policy | Feedback | Work With Us | Site Map