India take on Argentina in their third Rio 2016 Olympics Hockey match on Tuesday.
Indian Men’s Hockey team take on Argentina at 7:30 PM IST.
7:18 (IST): After the heart-break against Germany, India is back on the pitch taking on Argentina. It will be important to see how India react. Argentina is a tough side and reached the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.
7:20 (IST): Argentina is a side that doesn’t play defensive hockey. They would rather roll into attack, earn penalty corners and score. With players like Lucas Villa, they have the firepower upfront. And in coach Carlos Retegui, they have a man whose passion is second to none. A former player, Carlos is often egging on the players, motivating them. In the last World Cup, he was coach of the men’s and women’s teams – both reached the semi-finals, an amazing feat.
7:34 (IST): India pressing hard and almost had a chance but the shot too hard for Sunil to hold. Early openings for India.
7:36 (IST): India keep pressing. Trying to cut off the passes and build to avoid Argentina settling into any kind of a structure.
7:40 (IST): India earn a PC after Akashdeep had a good look at the goal. Ramandeep getting the PC. After Rupinder fails from the first, India get another one. It’s the 2nd on the move.
7:42 (IST): GOAL!! India take the lead. Chinglensana thumps it into the net.
7:43 (IST): Chinglesana gets the loose ball off Raghunath and he takes a direct hit into the left corner. India lead 1-0.
7:50 (IST): End of Q1 : India 1-0 Argentina.
7:53 (IST): 2nd quarter on. This will be a huge one. Argentina will come hard. They are not a team who will play defensive hockey. But it could give India some space.
8:04 (IST): Manpreet Singh gets a yellow card. He is out and India down to ten men. Argentina take advantage and attack. But the defence holds forth.
8:21 (IST): GOAL!! Finally a field goal for India. Kothajit gives India 2-0 lead.
8:24 (IST): Striking circle tussle which India wins. Ramandeep, Sardar and then Kothajit gets the ball and a wide gap by the side of the Argentine goalkeeper. The scoop from Kothajit flies in and India leads 2-0.
8:27 (IST): Argentina now trying to push harder. But Akashdeep is out and sitting with a suspension. Not the right time to get suspensions.India down to ten men. They are getting too many cards.Argentina would be looking for the goal that would spur the side on. They are pushing on the flanks, trying to look for gaps and possibly earn penalty corners. But the Indians are keeping their sticks busy and feet away from the ball.
8:27 (IST): Manpreet is back on the field; India at full strength.
8:41 (IST): GOAL!!! Argentina pull one back to make it 1-2. Gonzalo scores from the penalty corner.
8:53 (IST): Firstpost expert Sundeep Misra: Argentina keep pressing. Mazzilli has the ball but the shot flies over the Indian goal. India lead 2-1 with just under 6 minutes left. Argentina keep pressing. Hovering around the Indian circle. Indian defence needs a counter to break the momentum which is with Argentina.
8:55 (IST): Just 2 minutes left for India to hold on.
8:59 (IST): INDIA WIN! They beat Argentina 2-1 in men’s hockey. Their first win over Argentina since 2009.
That’s one foot in the door for a Quarter-Final place. It’s a big result. India now with two wins and one loss from 3 matches have 6 points. India now play Holland on August 11th.
