Breda
\nIndia continued their unbeaten run in the Champions Trophy hockey tournament and surprised Olympic champions Argentina 2-1 for a second consecutive win in the 37th and last edition of the prestigious tournament here on Sunday.<\/p>\n
India scored both their goals in the second quarter through Harmanpreet Singh (17th minute), who converted a penalty corner, and Mandeep Singh (28th).<\/p>\n
World number two Argentina’s lone goal came from the sticks of dragflciker Gonzalo Peillat, who scored from a set piece in the 30th minute.<\/p>\n
India, eyeing their maiden Champions Trophy title, had earlier crushed bitter-rivals Pakistan 4-0 in their campaign opener yesterday.<\/p>\n
India now sit atop the six-team standings with two wins from as many games.<\/p>\n
The eight-time Olympic champions will take on world champions Australia in their next round robin match on June 27.<\/p>\n
The team’s new chief coach Harendra Singh couldn’t have asked for a better start to his fourth stint with the senior national side. Harendra took over the reins after swapping roles with Sjoerd Marijne, following India’s dreadful Commonwealth Games campaign.<\/p>\n
Coming into the tournament on the back of a disastrous campaign at the Gold Coast Games, where they finished a disappointing fourth, the Indians made their intentions clear early on by showcasing all-round, compact hockey in their opening two games.<\/p>\n
The Indians carried on from where they left against Pakistan last night and produced a solid display in all departments of the game to get the better of their fancied rivals.<\/p>\n
The defence, which was once India’s perennial problem, yet again stole the show with a compact display, while the forwardline was up to the mark despite missing Ramandeep Singh owing to a knee injury suffered yesterday.<\/p>\n
The talismanic Sardar Singh, who played his 300th international game today, controlled the midfield and combined well with the forwardline to create opportunities.<\/p>\n
Argentina, however, were quick to get off the blocks, securing three consecutive penalty corners in the first quarter, but the Indian defence stood tall to deny Peillat.<\/p>\n
Next it was India’s turn to earn a penalty corner in the 17th minute and Harmanpreet fired home with a low flick through the legs of Argentina goalkeeper Tomas Santiago.<\/p>\n
Two minutes from half time, India doubled their lead through Mandeep but it was Dilpreet, who created the chance by brilliantly controlling a overhead long ball inside the circle and then setting it up for his striking colleague.<\/p>\n
Argentina pulled one goal back just at the stroke of half time through Peillat’s powerful strike to the top left corner of the Indian goal.<\/p>\n
India got their second penalty corner seconds from half time but Harmanpreet failed this time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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