team in the world. The result brought an end to the Indian Eves’ campaign at the Games, having endured four losses and managed to draw a solitary match in their five games of the group stage.
The World No 2 side only needed a sniff at the goal before the floodgates opened as Argentina bundled home their second of the game in the 23rd minute from another penalty corner through Maria Granatto. It was not long before Minadeo’s side found another breakthrough to score their third goal in the 26th minute when skipper Carla Rebecchi rippled the back of the net from yet another penalty corner.
Argentina then added another to their tally within a minute of the third goal as Agustina Albertario got her name on the scoresheet after a lightning fast counter-attack from her side. Before the end of the second quarter, Argentina hit the final nail in the coffin as Cavallero, who was standing unmarked at the far post, notched her second goal of the game to make the scoreline 5-0.
Quarter 4 started with Argentina winning a penalty corner, but India successfully referred against the decision. India then, for the first time in the game, looked threatening in the 50th minute when they were awarded two back-to-back penalty corners. However, Minadeo’s side were able to successfully overturn the second penalty corner after referral. Argentina went close to scoring their sixth on a couple of occasions, but India held on to restrict the damage after a frantic second quarter, which saw them concede five goals.The result brought an end to what was a dismal campaign for the young Indian Eves side at Rio Olympics and should be seen as a learning curve in their quest for becoming one of the best sides in the world.
