Harmanpreet’s late goal saves the day
After the 3-2 win against New Zealand in the opening game, India’s chief coach Craig Fulton called the contest a “wake-up call”. It took 21 circle penetrations and 10 penalty corners against Argentina for Harmanpreet Singh and his men to hear the alarm. Much like their opening fixture, it took a last-minute goal from Harmanpreet to secure a point for India.
While they got away with a win against the Black Sticks, their persistence ensured they eked out a draw after Argentina, the 2016 champions, took the lead in the 22nd minute.
India, who were cheered by former India skipper Rahul Dravid, were scrappy at times, but they were the better side especially going forward in the first half. What separated the two was Argentina’s robust defence and India’s one-dimensional approach with penalty corners.
Controlling the run of play with deft work on the baseline, India held a 57-43 advantage in terms of ball possession. There was also a fine display of stickwork, especially from rookie Abhishek, who almost earned India a goal with an artistic reverse slap which hit the crossbar.
While the Indians were all about attack and penetration, Argentina’s rock solid defence stood firm. The 10-man Argentine wall not only neutralised India’s speed – albeit sans precision – but also gave India’s strikers no room.
Star goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who often says goalkeeping is a lonely furrow and keepers have no place to hide, nearly cost India the match with a momentary lapse in judgment. In the 22nd minute, Lucas Martinez’ flick from the left was well on its way out, when Sreejesh decided to swipe it away, anticipating trouble from a rushing striker on the right.
What followed was a nightmare as the ball caressed the hook of the Indian custodian’s stick and made its way into the goal. The reversal stunned the Indians and left Sreejesh rightfully disappointed.
Down by a goal and with 4.42 minutes on the clock, Fulton decided to play bold and pulled out Sreejesh. That move earned India a flurry of penalty corners. Harmanpreet eventually saved his best for the last and ensured a crucial point for India.
If India must go deep, there is a pressing need for them to take a relook at their penalty corner strategy – if they have one. Nine – five of them in the first half – went abegging. While Harmanpreet wasn’t on the field when India won their first PC, the ensuing nine exposed India’s overdependence on their star drag flicker. With five penalty corners and a stroke – which Maico Casella missed in the 45th minute – it was Argentina’s game to lose.
