FIH Pro League 2024-25: India looks to earn first win in European leg against Argentina

Smarting from back-to-back defeats, the Indian men’s hockey team will look to improve its penalty corner conversions and fix its recurring habit of conceding late goals as it aims to bounce back against Argentina in the FIH Pro League in the Netherlands on Wednesday.

India made a disappointing start to the European leg, losing 1-2 and 2-3 to the Netherlands in Amstelveen. In both matches, late goals proved costly and turned winnable games into defeats.

Penalty corner conversion is another area of concern. India wasted several opportunities, converting just one of nine penalty corners in Monday’s game. India is currently fourth in the standings with 15 points, with six matches left in the competition. With a place in next year’s World Cup on the line, the team will be desperate to deliver strong performances in the remaining fixtures.

The immediate challenge is Argentina.

“We are aware of the task at hand in the matches against Argentina. The team is working hard every day in training, and we are confident of doing well. Argentina is a strong team, and at this level, no match is easy,” said captain Harmanpreet Singh.

India has enjoyed a favourable head-to-head record against Argentina in recent years. At the Paris Olympics, the two teams played out an entertaining draw. In the ongoing 2023–24 Pro League, India defeated Argentina twice — one of the wins coming via a shootout.

India has never lost to Argentina in regulation time in the Pro League. The only defeat came in a shootout in 2022 in Bhubaneswar.