AMSTELVEEN, AUG 24 (PTI): India’s men’s hockey team crashed out of semifinal contention at the FIH World Cup after suffering a 3-5 defeat to Argentina in their final Pool E clash. Having already lost to the Netherlands earlier, India’s chances were slim, requiring a three-goal margin victory to advance. However, Argentina’s early strikes and sustained dominance sealed India’s fate, leaving them fourth in the pool without a point from three matches.
Argentina stunned India with a goal inside the first minute, Joaquin Toscani firing past goalkeeper Mohit HS. Nicolas Della Torre doubled the lead in the sixth minute from a penalty corner, capitalising on defensive lapses. India responded through Sukhjeet Singh in the 10th minute, assisted by Abhishek, but Argentina maintained control. Despite creating chances in the second quarter, India’s poor passing and missed opportunities kept the score 2-1 at halftime.
The third quarter saw Argentina extend their lead as Tomas Domene scored his seventh goal of the tournament with a reverse hit in the 33rd minute, surpassing Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh’s tally. India earned four consecutive penalty corners soon after, but Harmanpreet failed to convert. Domene struck again in the 45th minute via a penalty stroke, taking his tournament tally to eight. Lucas Toscani added Argentina’s fifth in the 53rd minute with a reverse hit, leaving India’s defence in disarray.
India mounted a late fightback, with Sukhjeet scoring his second goal in the 58th minute and Hardik Singh converting a penalty stroke a minute later. Yet, the comeback was too late to alter the outcome. Argentina, who had previously beaten India 8-0 and 4-2 in the FIH Pro League earlier this year, reaffirmed their superiority.
With this defeat, India will now contest for seventh or eighth place, while the Netherlands have already secured a semifinal berth. The second semifinalist from Pool E will be decided in the final group match between England and the Netherlands.
