India squandered their hard-earned lead on two occasions as they slumped to their second successive defeat losing 2-4 to World Cup bronze medallists Argentina in the Hero Champions Trophy, here Sunday
India's perennial problem, their fragile backline came to hurt them again as their lead didn't even last a minute on both the occasions in the second Pool B match of the day, played in-front of 7000 strong capacity crowd at the Kalinga Stadium.
For India, Akashdeep Singh (30th) and Gurjinder Singh (30th) scored the goals, while lucas Villa (30th), Juan lopez (37th), Gustin Mazzilli (49th) and Joaquin Menini found the net for the winners.
While Indian forwards created chances today, the defence were chasing shadows on a number occasions when the Argentines counter-attacked. Today's loss was India's second on the trot in the tournament after the close 0-1 defeat against Olympic champions Germany yesterday.
India will face the Netherlands in their last pool match on Tuesday, which will decide their quarterfinal opponent, while Argentina will be up against Germany.
It was end-to-end hockey in the first quarter but goals eluded both the teams. India had the first clear chance in the 8th minute but wasted it. It was a great opening down the right from a counter-attack but Nikkim Thimmaiah over ran lalit Upadhay's defence splitting diagonal ball. Minutes later Indian goalie PR Sreejesh came to the picture, when he easily gloved away Juan lopez's shot.
Argentina got their first penalty corner in the 16th minute but it went in vain as they failed to stop the push.Indian players looked a little out of sorts in the first quarter and were found wanting in front of the opposition striking circle. The Indians managed to take the ball near the Argentine circle on many occasions but instead of trying to get in, they depended more on hits from outside hoping for somebody to get a deflection.
Five minutes into the second quarter skipper Saradar Singh and Dharamvir Singh combined well on the right flank to get inside the circle but latter's cross had no takers. India's best scoring opportunity came in the 22nd minute when Kothajit Singh's pass from outside the circle found lalit but his deflection hit the upright. Then VR Raghunath was guilty of being selfish as after doing all the hard work to get inside the circle he went for glory and struck straight at Argentine goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi instead of passing the ball. India, finally broke the deadlock a minute from halftime through Akashdeep who found himself in the right place at the right time to tap in Gurjinder diagonal pass.
The hosts' lead was shortlived as Argentina levelled the scores, seconds later in exactly the same way as Villa made no mistake in deflecting a diagonal ball into the net with both teams locked 1-1 at the breather.
Eight minutes into the third quarter, India restored their lead when Gurjinder scored from the hosts' first penalty corner with a powerful high dragflick.
But once again the Indians gave away their lead in no time, courtesy its fragile backline. A hit from outside the circle got deflected from Rupinder's stick and landed high in front of an unmarked lopez, who hooked the ball into the net to restore parity for his side.
A few minutes later, Gurjinder found the back of the net again from a penalty corner but his goal was disallowed for dangerous play after Argentina went for the referral. Instead, Menini added insult to India's injury, when he pumped in another goal another to seal the match in Argentina's favour.
Boon leaves it late for belgium
Australia's disappointing show at the Hero Champions Trophy continued as Belgium made a remarkable comeback to eke out a 4-4 draw against the Kookaburras in a high-scoring Pool A match. Hero Hockey India league's highest ever paid player, Tom Boon, scored the all-important equaliser for the Red lions from a penalty corner with just one-tenth of a second remaining in the match.
But it was the second quarter, which produced enthralling hockey with as many as five goals being scored in quick succession. Chris Ciriello was the first to register his name on the score sheet when he converted a penalty corner for Australia in the 16th minute.
Jake Whetton tripled Australia's lead two minutes later by slotting in from close range after Belgian goalkeeper Jeremy Gucasoff half-stopped Matt Gohdes cross-shot.
But after the change of ends, Flynn Ogilvie scored his first international goal to extend Australia's lead by finishing off a fine move down the left flank. Sebastien Dockier scored the first Belgian goal from a field effort in the 25th minute before Simon Florent van Aubel tapped in his side's second goal after picking out a Gougnard pass.
England maul Pakistan 8-2
An impressive England demolished Pakistan 8-2 in their second Pool A match to register their best-ever win in the history of the FIH Champions Trophy at the Kalinga Stadium, here Sunday. England dished out a scintillating performance in the opening two quarters and pumped in as many as five goals to child play with the hapless Pakistanis.
Such was their dominance and control over the match that England scored seven field goals against just one through penalty corners. The 8-2 victory is England's best-ever in the elite eight-nation event, bettering their 5-1 win over Spain in 1987. Sunday's win is also England's biggest ever victory over Pakistan in Champions Trophy history, the previous best being a 2-0 triumph in 1999.
Netherlands emerge on top
World Cup silver medallists the Netherlands spanked Olympic champions Germany 4-1 in the much-anticipated clash of Pool B, to register their second successive win in the Hero Champions Trophy, here Sunday. In a clash between two European giants, the Netherlands dished out a commanding performance to race to 3-0 lead at halftime.
Dutch outfit was in complete control in the major part of the match and scored goals with precision against the crumbling defence of World No. 3 Germany.
Constantijn Jonker scored Netherlands first goal with a reverse stick shot from top of the circle in the 11th minute. The Netherlands will face hosts India in their last pool match on Tuesday, while Germany will take on Argentina.