A final-minute comeback in a single and a clean-sheet in one other: India produced contrasting performances of their first tour for aggressive matches in additional than a 12 months, however remained unbeaten towards Olympic champions Argentina within the twin Pro League matches performed over the weekend in Buenos Aires.
In the primary match, performed post-midnight India time on Sunday, drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh scored two targets, together with the equaliser with simply six seconds left within the match, within the 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh continued from the place he left off in February 2020, producing a stellar efficiency within the shoot-offs to avoid wasting three Argentine pictures and assist India declare a bonus level. This was the third straight match the place Sreejesh ensured India’s win within the shoot-outs, with the earlier two coming towards the Netherlands and Australia earlier than pandemic hit in 2020.
While India confirmed commendable preventing spirit within the first recreation, the group performed with rather more management and composure within the second match on Sunday to sail to a 3-0 win. After seeing off Argentine stress within the opening 10 minutes, the place goalkeeper Krishan Pathak made a few essential saves, Harmanpreet as soon as once more opened the scoring within the thirteenth minute. Lalit Upadhyay doubled the lead within the twenty fifth and Mandeep Singh sealed a cushty victory two minutes from time with an opportunistic purpose.
After this morning’s fearless efficiency towards Argentina, @KrishanBPathak has proved why his center title is Bahadur! 🔥
Congratulations on finishing your fiftieth International Cap and incomes the Player of the Match Title! 🙌#IndiaKaGame #FIHProLeague #HockeyInvites #ARGvIND pic.twitter.com/YnX0D3iS6P
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) April 12, 2021
“What I really liked from Saturday’s game was the ability to not give up, and stage a comeback. It is a good confidence booster to know that if you are stuck in that position, you have the patience and skill to be able to do that,” chief coach Graham Reid mentioned, including the group was not getting carried away with the weekend’s outcomes.
India will play two extra apply matches towards Argentina on Tuesday and Wednesday. In May, India are scheduled to play two matches every towards Germany, Spain and Great Britain as part of the Pro League marketing campaign. However, the long run assignments stay unsure, particularly after the International Hockey Federation postponed India’s two Pro League matches towards New Zealand in Bhubaneswar, which have been to be held in late May.
