A fighting India rode on Ramandeep Singh’s brace to eke out a come-from-behind 3-2 triumph over Argentina and register their second consecutive win in the Sultan of Johor Cup Under-21 hockey tournament, here on Monday.
India trailed for a large part of the match but Ramandeep (60th, 62nd) found his scoring touch when it mattered the most and netted two field goals in final 10 minutes to turn the game in his side’s favour.
Vice-captain Affan Yousuf (23rd) was the other goal-getter for India, while Isidoro Carlos Ibarra (16th, 42nd) scored both the goals for the mighty Argentines.
With two wins from as many games, India have consolidated their position in the league standings alongside arch-rivals Pakistan on six points apiece. India had defeated England 2-1 in their tournament-opener on Sunday.
Argentina, on the other hand, slumped to their second straight defeat after having lost 2-4 to hosts Malaysia on Sunday.
Argentina drew the first blood in the 16th minute when Ibarra converted a penalty corner with precision that beat Indian custodian Harlot Singh all ends up.
But the South American side’s joy was shortlived as India drew parity seven minutes later when Yusof scored with a reverse hit.
Argentina restored their lead seven minutes into the second half from a penalty stroke which was awarded after Ibarra’s flick from the Pan American champion’s second penalty corner hit Indian skipper Manpreet Singh on the foot.
Ibarra made no mistake to hand Argentina a 2-1 lead.
Thereafter, the Indians toiled hard for goals but their fowardline continued to disappoint the side.
luck finally smiled on the Indians in the 60th minute when Ramandeep scored the equaliser from a goal-mouth melee. And two minutes later, Ramdeep was once again in the thick of things as he cleverly deflected in at the far post to score the winner for India.
India will play arch-rivals Pakistan on Wednesday.