New Delhi: India suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in the European leg of the FIH Pro League on Thursday, going down 1-2 to Argentina in a tense, drama-filled encounter that saw a last-minute equalizer disallowed and a crucial retake missed.
India took an early lead in the 4th minute through drag-flicker Jugraj Singh, who converted the team’s first penalty corner. However, Argentina hit back with Tomas Domene scoring twice — once in the 9th minute and again in the 49th — both goals coming off penalty corners to turn the game in their favour.
With just two minutes remaining in the final quarter and India trailing 1-2, the team was awarded a penalty stroke. Jugraj appeared to have levelled the scores, but Argentina immediately challenged the goal, citing that Jugraj’s left foot had crossed the line before he took the stroke. The video umpire sided with Argentina, and the goal was disallowed.
However, India captain Hardik Singh appealed for a referral to check whether Argentine goalkeeper Tomas Santiago had moved ahead of the goal line prematurely. The review favoured India, granting Jugraj a retake. Unfortunately, Santiago made a crucial save to deny the equalizer, sealing the win for Argentina.
India, without regular captain Harmanpreet Singh who is out with a finger injury, struggled to convert opportunities and managed just three penalty corners to Argentina’s eight.
Thursday’s loss followed a 3-4 defeat to Argentina the previous day and earlier back-to-back losses to Olympic champions Netherlands (1-2 and 2-3) in the same leg of the tournament.
With this European leg concluded, India will now travel to Antwerp, Belgium, where they are set to face a strong Australian side on Saturday.
