FIH Pro League 2024-25: Harmanpreet’s double not enough as India goes down 3-4 to Argentina

The Indian men’s hockey team put on a spirited display against Argentina, but went down 3-4 in its FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 game, at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands.

For India, Harmanpreet Singh (12’, 33’) netted twice whilst Abhishek (42’) added a third. For Argentina, the goals came from Matias Rey (3’), Lucas Martinez (17’), Santiago Tarazona (34’) and Lucio Mendez (46’).

With all to play for, it was Argentina which came out of the blocks quicker than India. And the early pressure paid off as Matias Rey found the lead in the third minute. After that, the India absorbed the pressure and started to build in attack, causing its opponents some moments of worry. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh found the equaliser just before the end of first quarter.

The Men in Blue looked to build momentum in the second quarter, but Argentina had other plans. Lucas Martinez scored an early goal to restore the lead.

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Minutes after the half-time break, Mandeep Singh earned a penalty stroke for India, and Captain Harmanpreet stepped up and hammered it into the bottom corner. However, within a minute, Argentina responded with a third goal of its own as Santiago Tarazona found the back of the net. From then on in, India pushed Argentina back into its own half. The continued pressure eventually paid off, as Abhishek hit it into the roof of the net to make it 3-3, just before the end of the quarter.

The final quarter also had a quick start, as Argentina found a way through India’s defence and Lucio Mendez finished it off from close range, which eventually turned out to be winner.

India is currently fourth in the points tally having accumulated 15 points from 11 games. It will be next seen in action against Argentina on June 12.