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Expectations were high as the Indians took the virgin field of the Raipur International hockey stadium against Argentina in the inaugural match of the Hero Hockey World League Final 2015.
The hosts looked in a good mental state for the match, and it reflected as the match began. But a foot foul by an over-enthusiastic Jasjit Singh resulted in a penalty corner which drag-flick specialist Gonzalo Peillat converted in the 3rd minute.
India were quick to reply, but the fans would get a glimpse of one half of the story of the match, the unimpregnable Argentine defense, which easily negated the Indian charge.Argentina would score again in the second quarter, as Joaquin Menini netted a penalty corner. The first half ended with Argentina ahead by two goals.
India would come closest to scoring in the third quarter but wouldn’t convert. SV Sunil limped off the field in obvious pain. A little later, the ball deflected off VR Raghunath’s leg and through the Indian posts, but the referee blew his whistle before the goal, so Argentina had to settle for a penalty corner in place of a third goal. Their attempts would be thwarted as the 3rd quarter wound down.
With 15 minutes left, India came out looking more concentrated in the last quarter. The Indian fans went up in a roar for what appeared to be a goal, but was ruled illegal due to a stick check. After some more back-and-forth play, India earned their first PC with 5 minutes left in the match. Rupinder Pal Singh would send it high and it would be kept out by the Argentine custodian, leaving the fans gloomy.
In a surprising turn of events, Argentina were awarded a PC in the last second of the match. Peillat would make it a brace as he rocketed one past Sreejesh’s shoulder and the match would end on that note.
Overall, India’s spirit and tempo were easily neutralized by the more disciplined Argentina. Their offense was clinical and their defense was solid. PR Sreejesh was the lone standout for India, as he kept the deficit to three when it could have easily been double that.
End result – Argentina beat India 3-0 with Gonzalo Peillat scoring a brace and Joqauin Menini netting 1 goal. Michael Absalom took ‘Man of the Match’.
