The Indian men’s hockey team eked out a 1-1 draw against Argentina in their second match of Pool B at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday. Lucas Martinez helped Argentina get ahead in the first half, while Harmanpreet Singh equalized for India.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh rescued India by converting a last-minute penalty corner, securing a 1-1 draw against former champions Argentina in a Pool B match of the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday. India had missed nine penalty corners before Harmanpreet found the net, firing the ball into the top of the goal. Argentina missed a crucial penalty stroke in the 36th minute when Maico Casella’s shot went wide. Lucas Martinez had earlier put Argentina ahead in the 22nd minute with a field goal. Harmanpreet, who had previously struck against New Zealand in the dying minutes, scored just before the final whistle to equalize for India.
Ranked seventh in the world Australia was the opponent that Argentina lost 1-0 to begin their Olympic campaign. They will be eager to win their first game and provide a serious challenge to the highly confident Indian team. The Indian hockey team, meanwhile, demonstrated their never-say-die attitude by coming back twice in the 60 minutes of play to remain in the hunt against New Zealand.
Playing in front of a crowded house at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium was an exciting beginning. India dominated the first quarter of the game, controlling possession of the ball and launching offensive bursts spearheaded by Olympic debutant Abhishek that caused New Zealand a great deal of early-game trouble. He even had a great opportunity to score, but Dominic Dixon, the goaltender for New Zealand, made a strong stop.
Sukhjeet Singh’s deft play in the closing minutes of the second half won him a penalty corner, which set up another set-piece play. India was awarded a penalty stroke in the second penalty corner after Harmapreet’s dragflick struck Child in the body. The Indian captain did not make a mistake in securing his team’s crucial victory.
