Picture : Twitter / Hockey India
India’s men’s hockey team turned in a clinical display to get the better of defending champions Argentina and register their third victory in the Olympics in Tokyo.
The victory enabled the eight-time Olympic champions consolidated their position in second place of Pool A, with three wins and a loss out from four games, behind Australia, and make sure of a berth in the quarter-finals.
After goalless first half, India forged ahead in the 43rd minute. The team requested for a video referral and were awarded a penalty-corner from which Varun Kumar scored.
Argentina drew abreast in the 48th minute from their first penalty-corner, Maico Casella scoring with a rasping shot.
Dilpreet Singh sent the ball into the circle and Vivek Sagar Prasad did well to connent. The ball hit Argentine goalkeeper Vivaldi’s stick before going in.
A minute from the hooter, India forced their eighth Indian penalty-corner and Harmanpreet Singh came up with a sizzling drag-flick to put the issue beyond doubt
Undeterred, India continued to attack and took the lead for the second time in the match with three minutes to go for the final whistle.
The top-four make the last-eight stage from each group. India will play hosts Japan in their final pool match on Friday.
Argentina are fifth in the six-team group and need to beat New Zealand in their final preliminary match on Friday to stay in the hunt for a quarter-final berth.
