Ramandeep Singh scored two field goals to guide India to a comfortable 4-2 win over Argentina on Thursday and set up a mouth-watering clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in the 9th-10th place classification match.
Though he was late to rise to the occasion, Ramandeep (4th minute, 31st) showed his scoring prowess by scoring two fantastic field goals in the 9-12th place classification match at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. Apart from Ramdeep, the drag-flick specialists Amit Rohidas (7th) and Gurjinder Singh (40th) were the other goal-getters for the hosts.
Argentina’s goals came from the sticks of lucas Martinz in the 38th minute and lautaro Diaz in the 69th minute. India will now face neighbours Pakistan in the 9-10th place play-off match on Saturday. Pakistan had defeated South Africa 4-0 in their 9-12th place classification match earlier in the day.
Argentina will play South Africa in the 11th-12th place classification game on Saturday.
Out of the podium race, the Indians came out like wounded tigers and dominated the share of exchanges in the opening half.
India surged ahead in the fourth minute of the match through Ramandeep, who after receiving a through pass from Rohidas, dodged past an Argentine defender to score from the right corner of the circle.
Three minutes later, Rohidas doubled India’s lead by converting the first penalty corner awarded to the hosts with a grounded flick.
Ramandeep was once again at the thick of things when he dodged past three Argentine defenders in the 31st to give India a three-goal cushion.