Hockey Championship Trophy: India suffer second defeat

Odisha Sun Times Sports Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Dec 7:

India suffered second successive defeat as they went down to Argentina by 2-4 goals in a pool-B match on the second day of the Hero Hockey Champions Trophy at Odisha’s capital city tonight.

Both the teams set up an entertaining duel scoring twice within the same minute.

However, Argentina finally prevailed in the end after two brilliant late strikes from Agustin Mazzilli and Joaquin Menini.

Cheered by 7,000 spectators, the hosts created a row of chances in the first quarter.

Towards the end of the first quarter Argentine goalkeeper Manuel Vivaldi saved a terrific deflection from Indian star Sardar Singh.

The second quarter saw a Lalit Upadhyay attempt hitting the post. The home team eventually scored with less than a minute when Akashdeep Singh got the final touch to a long pass coming from midfield. However, Argentina struck back with Lucas Vila equalising from open play.

In the third quarter, India took the lead through Gurjinder Singh who converted a penalty corner. However, Juan Lopez levelled the score to 2-2 still in the same minute.

With Mazilli’s late strike putting India under pressure, the hosts lost their tempo after Menini scored the fourth goal.

The win put Argentina on the second place in the pool.