~ Jugraj Singh (4′) netted a objective for India, whereas for Argentina, Tomas Domene (9’, 49’) scored a brace ~
Amstelveen, twelfth June 2025: India suffered a detailed 1-2 defeat in opposition to Argentina of their FIH Hockey Professional League 2024/25 sport on the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands immediately. Jugraj Singh (4′) netted a objective for the Indian crew, whereas for Argentina, Tomas Domene (9’, 49’) scored a brace. Notably, India’s common Captain Harmanpreet Singh missed the sport resulting from a finger tissue damage sustained within the earlier match. In his absence, Vice Captain Hardik Singh stepped as much as lead the crew.
Argentina began the sport with excessive urgent and better ball possession, however India responded with sharp passing and swift circle entries. This early momentum earned them a penalty nook, which Jugraj Singh (4’) transformed with a robust drag flick handy India the lead. Argentina rapidly earned a penalty nook of their very own, however Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak stood tall, making an important save and clearing the hazard. Moments later, Pathak was known as into motion once more, diving to disclaim one other Argentine penalty nook conversion. Nonetheless, the Argentines received third time fortunate as Tomas Domene (9’) fired house to degree the rating. Each groups continued to threaten, however the first quarter ended evenly poised at 1-1.
The second quarter noticed Argentina pushing ahead with early circle entries, however India’s defence held agency to thwart their advances. India responded by intercepting passes and launching speedy counter-attacks, placing strain on Argentina’s goalkeeper Tomas Santiago, who stood his floor with key saves. Argentina, too, discovered themselves in promising positions however did not convert their possibilities. Regardless of the end-to-end motion, neither aspect might break the impasse within the second quarter, and the groups went into halftime with the rating nonetheless degree at 1-1.
The penultimate quarter noticed each groups adopting a cautious strategy, specializing in sustaining possession and controlling the tempo of the sport. A lot of the motion unfolded within the midfield, with each India and Argentina discovering it troublesome to penetrate one another’s defensive traces. In consequence, clear-cut possibilities have been few and much between, and neither aspect managed to create any substantial threats within the attacking circle. The evenly contested third quarter ended with none change to the scoreline, which remained tied at 1-1 heading into the ultimate interval.
Argentina got here out robust within the fourth and closing quarter, making use of relentless strain on India’s defence with aggressive urgent. Their efforts quickly bore fruit as Tomas Domene (49’) struck his second objective of the match, as soon as once more changing a penalty nook to offer Argentina a 2-1 lead. Trailing for the primary time within the sport, India shifted to a long-passing technique in the hunt for an equaliser. Nonetheless, Argentina remained compact on the again, efficiently absorbing the strain and denying India any clear breakthroughs.
India’s greatest alternative got here within the dying moments after they have been awarded a penalty stroke with lower than two minutes left on the clock. Jugraj Singh stepped as much as take the shot, however his effort was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Tomas Santiago. The essential save ensured Argentina held on to their slim lead, finally sealing a 2-1 victory.
Because of the loss, India now sit fifth within the factors desk with 15 factors from 12 matches. They may subsequent play in opposition to Australia on 14th June.
It’s value noting that each India and Argentina noticed a one-minute silence earlier than the match to pay tribute to the victims of the tragic Air India aircraft crash in Ahmedabad earlier immediately — an incident that has deeply shaken the nation.
All of the FIH Professional League 2024-25 (Males) matches might be streamed reside on Jio Hotstar and broadcast on Star Sports activities Choose.
