Paris Olympics, Hockey: Harmanpreet’s late goal helps India to 1-1 draw with Argentina

Harmanpreet Singh scored in the dying minutes to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw for the Indian men’s hockey team against Argentina in their second group match at the Paris Olympics on Monday at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games: India vs Argentina – HIGHLIGHTS

India had wasted as many as nine penalty corners before Harmanpreet found the net and fired the ball into the top of the net.

Argentina regretted Maico Casella’s missed penalty in the 36th minute.

Lucas Martinez had put his team ahead with a field goal in the 22nd minute and Harmanpreet, who had scored in the final minutes against New Zealand, found the net a minute before the end.

The Rio Olympic champions had lost to Australia and wanted to dominate the match. They wanted to win, but had to settle for a draw, despite dominating most of the match.

Argentina had the upper hand, while India struggled to penetrate the rival circle.

The first quarter remained scoreless, as both teams failed to convert the short corners they were given.

India continued to launch air strikes but faced a lack of finishing skills in the opponent’s defence.

The Argentinians also took air balls into account, but they too failed to see the goal.

In the 10th minute, India earned a penalty corner, but the Argentinians saved Sanjay’s shot. Abhishek also took his chance, but hit the crossbar in the 10th minute.

A minute later the South Americans had their first chance, but Domene’s shot went wide.

In the second quarter, a few PCs came towards India, but Argentine goalkeeper Tomas Santiago was quick to stop a hard shot from captain Harmanpreet with his right leg, after he had already fended off the first threat.

Paris 2024 Olympic Games Day 3 – LIVE

The deadlock was broken in the second quarter when Argentina took the lead with a field goal.

India were shocked when Martinez’s hard shot went inside the field, with diving keeper PR Sreejesh evading it. He should have been the first to stop the ball.

Martinez fired home a one-touch effort from inside the D after being helped by the excellent 3D skills of Bautista Zubeldia Capurro on the right flank.

Shaken by the blow, India quickly rushed towards the rival circle but lost possession and it was back to midfield. The game was mainly played in India’s half.

Jarmanpreet tried to shoot from outside the circle on the right flank but it didn’t work and again Indian lost the ball.

The former champions were 1-0 up after the first half. The South Americans increased the intensity of their attacks in the third quarter. Manpreet and Abhishek also came up with some kind of action, but Santiago thwarted them.

In the 36th minute, Argentina were awarded a short corner, but were unable to convert. Much to the team’s dismay, Casella Schuth missed a penalty. It was a great chance to go 2-0 up, but he squandered a big shot wide.

The Argentinians largely controlled the game and kept possession cleverly, but towards the end of the last quarter India launched a series of attacks.

However, they missed another penalty corner as Harmanpreet’s shot was saved by the attacker.

A desperate India made another attack from the left flank but lost the ball on the edge of the circle.

It looked like the team was heading for their first defeat, but Harmanpreet had the perfect moment for the PC conversion.