Indians crash to Argentina in opener

India’s campaign at the Hockey World League Final got off to a dismal start as they suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Argentina in their opening match here on Friday.

The Sardar Singh-led side could not match their higher-ranked opponents as a Gonzalo Peillat brace (3rd and 60th minutes) and a goal from Joaquin Menini (24th minute) meant the Argentines ran out comfortable winners on a breezy evening.

Egged on by a full house at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel stadium, the home support was the only thing that went India’s way as any hopes of a home win was blown away with the Argentines imposing themselves on the game from the word go.

The Indians also made their rivals’ job easier through horrendous defending as Jasjit Singh failed to trap the ball inside the striking circle cleanly, resulting in the first short corner of the game in the third minute. The 23-year-old Peillat calmly drag-flicked the ball into the bottom right corner of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh to give the Las Leonas a dream start.

Down by a goal, the Indians tried to regroup and find a way back into the game. But a misfiring forwardline combined with an out-of-sorts midfield meant the Indians were restricted to their own half for majority of the tie.

And whenever they found a way past the Argentine defence, strikers Ramandeep Singh, SV Sunil and Akashdeep Singh failed to get their sticks to anything that rolled into the penalty area.

Reducing their opponents to mere spectators, the Argentines doubled their advantage with some smart play in the second quarter. After they were gifted another penalty corner for dangerous play inside the striking circle, Menini found the mark to make it 2-0.

The Argentines went for a variation on the short corner as Peillat set up the 24-year-old with a cheeky ball and the defender slapped it into the net beating a diving Sreejesh.

Though the second half saw the Indians step out with renewed determination and purpose, their game didn’t seem to change much as mispasses, poor trapping and lack of co-ordination was evident in their play.

The Argentines, meanwhile, made sure that they punished the hosts for their mistakes as the Ibarra Pedro-led side penetrated the Indian circle with ease creating chances in plenty. But Sreejesh brought off a handful of quality saves to deny the Las Leonas.

The Indian goalkeeper finally bowed to drag-flicker Peillat’s fierce strike as the Argentine slotted another goal, from his team’s ninth penalty corner in the last minute to complete the rout.

India’s coach Roelant Oltmans hoped his side would pick themselves up before they run into Olympic champions Germany on Saturday.

“The players know they can play a better game than what they did today,” said the Indian coach. “It was disappointing to concede a goal that early and I think the team couldn’t pick themselves up post that. I am sure that the boys will pick themselves up and put up a better performance tomorrow,” he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, skipper Sardar Singh said he was surprised to see the lack of determination in his side’s approach. “I was surprised to see the way team played today. We didn’t execute our plans, energy level was low, and there was no communication between the players. We will have to show fighting spirit till 60 minutes if we are to get anything out of these ties. And this is what we are expecting at the Rio Olympics,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Olympic champions Germany and powerhouse Netherlands played out a 0-0 draw in the other Pool B game.
DH News Service

Saturday’s fixtures: Pool A: Great Britain vs Canada (2.30 pm); Australia vs Belgium (4.30 pm).

Pool B: Germany vs India (6.30 pm); Netherlands vs Argentina (8.30 pm).