Harmanpreet Singh and goalkeeping stalwart PR Sreejesh emerged India’s heroes because the guests defeated Olympic champions Argentina 3-2 in an exciting shoot-out after the groups have been locked 2-2 on the finish of regulation time, in the FIH Pro League match on Sunday.
A penalty nook earned by skipper Manpreet Singh with 25 seconds left for the ultimate hooter modified the course of the tense contest in opposition to the hosts, who seemed set for victory with a 2-1 lead. Harmanpreet scored his second purpose in the sixtieth minute with an outstanding drag-flick to fetch India a 2-2 equaliser, pushing the competition right into a penalty shoot-out.
India’s Lalit Upadhyay, Rupinder Pal Singh and Dilpreet Singh have been on track in the shoot-out, whereas goalkeeping stalwart Sreejesh got here up with some breath-taking saves to fetch India a bonus level.
The second match of the FIH Pro League will probably be performed on Monday.
Earlier, India drew the primary blood after a barren first quarter with a penalty nook earned in the twenty first minute. India vice-captain Harmanpreet made a medical interception and struck a fierce shot to give India the much-needed lead.
Argentina put the Indian defence underneath super stress thereafter and their efforts paid off with the guests conceding a penalty nook in the twenty eighth minute. Martin Ferreiro was impeccable in his execution, scoring the equaliser. He was additionally answerable for Argentina’s second purpose via one more penalty nook two minutes later, ending the second quarter with a 2-1 lead.
With the scoreboard studying 2-1 firstly of the deciding quarter, the competition went down to the wire. Desperate to win after happening to Germany in the FIH Pro League double-header final week, Argentina performed resolutely to thwart India’s cost.
Pressure mounted additional after Varun Kumar was compelled to sit out with a yellow card. But Manpreet’s effort with 25 seconds left on the clock ensured a profitable outing for India.
“I think the biggest takeaway from this match is our fighting spirit. We didn’t lose hope until the last minute and we fought back really hard to earn this result,” stated Harmanpreet.
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