Tokyo: The Indian men’s hockey team stormed into the quarter-final of the Olympics with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over defending champions Argentina, scoring two goals in the last two minutes of the rear collection match here on Thursday.
After the first two quarters without a goal, India broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute through Varun Kumar before Vivek Sagar Prasad (58th) and HarmanPreet Singh (59) attacked in the minutes of closing the match to close the contest.
It was the third victory in India at the A swimming pool at the Hockey Oi Stadium.
Argentina’s alone goal came from the conversion of a penalty angle by Schuth Casella in the 48th minute.
Based on this victory, India has consolidated their position in second place A with three wins and one lose from four matches, behind Australia.
Argentina struggled in fifth place in a collection of six teams and needed to defeat New Zealand in their final match on Friday to stay in the quarter-final hunt.
Four Top-Four made the last stage of each group.
India will play host Japan in their last pool match on Friday.
Indians aggressive and put pressure on the Argentine defense from the start, attacking the number.
India truly dominated the first quarter, an installation attack after the attack but Argentina defended it handsome to frustrate their opponents.
Indians still dominate ownership and penetrate the Argentine circle on many occasions but the last pass is lost.
Manpreet Singh’s troops had their first shot on goal in the third minute.
But Singh Dilpreet from close range from Simranjeet Singh Pass was saved well by Argentina goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi.
Midfield, led by Manpreet, plays a great game in the first quarter that is proven from circle penetration statistics.
India has 16 against two Argentina.
India was almost appreciated in the 27th minute when the simranjeet dive effort sailed above the post.
Two minutes later, Argentina had the chance of a real real assessment but Nahuel’s strong shot of salis from the right corner of the circle was tender by the stretched Sreejesh hand.
It was the first round that frustrated because the two teams failed to secure a single penalty to go to Breather’s goal.
Similar scripts in the third quarter when India continued to dispose of opportunities.
Gurjant Singh first missed from close range in the 35th minute and then Rupiner Pal Singh wasted a penalty ahead of a few minutes later.
Immediately Indians have their hearts in their mouths when the defense was caught by Argentina but Matias Rey could not beat Sreejesh from the situation one on one.
It took India 43 minutes to break the deadlock through Varun who scored from the corner of the third penalty.
Seconds from the end of the third quarter, India wasted four consecutive penalties when Argentina defended it handsomely.
It was even in the 48th minute when Casella scored Argentina’s first penalty.
They have two more opportunities – one of the field efforts from Lucas Villa which was saved by Sreejesh and others from the corner of the penalty which was defended by Indians.
Two minutes from Hooter, Vivek restored the superiority of India knocking from the rebound after Dilpreet’s efforts were saved by Vivaldi and then at that time Harmanpreet pulled the last nail in the Argentine coffin by changing the eighth penalty of the team.
Watch Tokyo Olympics: Indian men’s hockey team defeated Argentina defense champions to enter the quarter-finals