BUENOS AIRES: The Indian women’s hockey team put up a spirited efficiency to maintain formidable Argentina to a 1-1 draw and finish their tour on a excessive notice, right here on Sunday.
Skipper Rani struck for India within the thirty fifth minute whereas Emilia Forcherio scored for the house team via a penalty stroke.
This was India’s fourth scheduled match in opposition to the world no 2 ranked facet after the third match to be performed on Saturday was deserted due to incessant rains.
Earlier within the tour, India had drawn 2-2, 1-1 in opposition to the Argentina junior team and misplaced 1-2, 2-3 to Argentina ‘B’ team.
Against the Argentina Senior facet, India misplaced 2-3 and 0-2 within the first and second matches respectively. .
The Indians performed with an intent to safe the elusive win in opposition to Argentina of their final match of the tour.
But the skilled residence team continued to showcase a dominant efficiency, getting off the blocks within the first quarter with well-structured assault.
The early strain on India’s defence line labored for Argentina as they earned two penalty corners inside three minutes of the primary quarter.
But India goalkeeper Savita was upto the mark and made sensible saves to deny the hosts.
India discovered a superb alternative to rating within the eleventh minute after they have been awarded a penalty nook, however they lacked correct execution.
Three minutes into the second quarter, Rani discovered one more alternative to rating when skilled ahead Vandana Katariya assisted her however a valiant Argentine defence held sturdy, masking each inch within the putting circle.
In the next minutes, Argentina received two penalty corners within the twenty third and twenty fourth minutes however Savita stood like a rock in entrance of the objective.
Skipper Rani lastly discovered the proper alternative to rating when India made an aggressive begin to the third quarter. It was Vandana once more who discovered Rani poised in entrance of the objective and fed her the ball from the proper flank.
Rani made no mistake in receiving the cross and swiftly struck the ball previous the Argentine goalkeeper to earn India a 1-0 lead within the thirty fifth minute.
India had two good alternatives to lengthen the lead within the thirty ninth and fiftieth minutes of the sport, however wasted each the alternatives.
Argentina, then again, pushed for objectives and a physique foul whereas defending penalty nook within the fifty fifth minute, noticed India concede a penalty stroke.
From the resultant set piece, Forcherio was on track to draw degree.
Under strain, India conceded two extra penalty corners within the 56th and 59th minutes however Argentina couldn’t utilise the alternatives.
“After the 1-0 lead, we had to keep calm and proceed to pursue our assault. We had to play extra neatly however that is one thing we are able to work on,” stated India’s chief coach Sjoerd Marijne after the match.
