India stage heroic comeback to hold Argentina but relegation risk looms

Indian Express

4 hours ago

India were left ruing the missed chances after the team came back from a two-goal deficit, levelled the scores, forced penalty shoot-outs, but were unable to convert even one attempt in a nail-biting FIH Pro League contest against Argentina.
After holding the heavyweights 2-2 in the regulation time, Deepika, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Lalremsiami, and Baljeet Kaur missed their chances in the tie-breakers while Brisa Bruggesser and Sofia Cairo scored for Argentina to take the bonus points home.
The draw — and inability to pocket a bonus point — means that the women's team has 10 points from 12 matches to be placed seventh in the nine-team competition. They are now in danger of being relegated to the Nations League, the second-tier competition, unless they manage to earn points from the remaining games.
India coach Harendra Singh wanted his players to be 'sharp and agile in the shooting circle'. While they ticked those two boxes, indecisiveness inside the 'D' meant they could capitalise on the chances they created.
India started brilliantly, taking on the Argentine defence and entering the circle six times in the first quarter while Argentina managed to enter the Indian circle only once. But the circle penetrations meant nothing as the Indian forward line failed to convert.
Sharmila Devi received a through ball from the midfield in the fourth minute, but she failed to keep it under control. In the seventh minute, Navneet Kaur dodged two Argentine midfielders and entered the circle but failed to put away the shot. Two minutes later, Sharmila was again guilty of not controlling the ball from the flanks. India made some dazzling moves with Lalremsiami running all the way to the shooting circle in the tenth minute, but once again, there was no meaningful shot on goal.
India started the second quarter with the same intent, with youngster Sunelita Toppo running from the midfield, carrying the ball into the Argentine 'D'. But her indecisiveness cost India another chance as she didn't really test goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino. After India fluffed multiple attempts, Argentina started attacking, but the Indian defence stood the test.
In the 24th minute, India earned a penalty corner as Jyoti Singh found the leg of Maria Granatto. Deepika's flick found another defender, resulting in another penalty corner. India tried a variation with Navneet taking the shot, but Cosentino was up to the task, going down quickly to deflect the shot.
Argentina earned their first penalty corner in the 26th minute and immediately capitalised as Agustina Gorzelany continued her superb form to score the game's opening goal. Argentina protected the lead going into half-time. They doubled their lead minutes after resumption when Sofia Cairo glided with the ball into the Indian circle in the 37th minute and earned the second penalty corner for her team. Gorzelany was at it once again, scoring another penalty corner goal.
The Argentines amped up the attack with two shots from the forward line, but Indian custodian Savita Punia was up to the task, saving both times. Deepika created another chance in the 43rd minute with a shot from the top of the circle. But it was saved by Cosentino.
In the final quarter, Argentina were the dominant side with nine circle penetrations. But Navneet scored a superb field goal with a powerful shot in the 50th minute, while Deepika converted a penalty corner in the 55th minute to force the shootout.
In the tie-breaker, India could not convert a single chance and were hence unable to earn a bonus point. India will travel to Belgium to take on the hosts over the weekend and then proceed to Germany for the last two games against China.