Argentina wins against Indian women’s hockey team by 2-3

On Wednesday, the Indian women’s hockey team was defeated by the world no 2 Argentina who emerged with successive goals in the final quarter to conquer the difficulty of 1-2. The Indian women’s team was defeated in a match that was indeed close with a score of 3-2. India was leading initially with a score of 2-1 where Sharmila controlled in the 34^th minute and Gurjit Kaur making the maximum score by giving her best performance in the 40^th minutes but eventually the Argentinean side defended their team by taking it forward in the final quarter. Experienced Argentinean such as Augustina Gorzelanny who scored in the 50^th minute and Granatto Maria who scored in the 57^th minute took the team to the winning spot. 

Sjoerd Marijne who is the coach of the Indian women’s hockey team said in an interview after the match that one has to stay focused till the final segment to play against an opponent like Argentina though they were quite close to a victory.  The ultimate lesson learned through this match is to maintain uniformity in all four quarters. Savita who is the Indian goalkeeper took a huge initiative to defend the team from initial danger as Argentina was subjected to a PC in the 6^th minute. However initially, India was considered inferior by Argentina. Argentina gave out a good performance by picking up the threads to collect opportunities throughout the second quarter. They generated PCs in the 21^st and 23^rd minutes but the PC defender of India had a stronghold. In the 25^th minute, Michaela Reategui managed to bring the team forward by making 1-0 which was succeeded by a goal. 

India made a sturdy return into the game after the interval of ten minutes. They played with a well-maintained structure by securing the space in the mark of 25 yards which did not permit the Argentines to make an uncomplicated attack into their circle. Navroj Kaur directed the young forward Sharmila to make the strike when they saw the victory of the forward line in the 34^th minute that was indirectly searching for goals and opportunities the whole time. 

India held the team at a constant 1-1 despite Argentina earning a PC in the 38^th minute. With an athletically stuck goal, Gurjit Kaur who is India’s lone drag-flicker escorted the team to lead by 2-1 in the 40^th minute. The track of the match was eventually altered when Argentina was awarded the penalty stroke in the 50^th minute.  The Indian women’s hockey team gave a strong competition to the Argentines with a stimulating match in Buenos Aires with a score of 2-3.  

Marijine said that there were many situations while they were leading the game with 2-1 where they could have easily scored the goal difference by increasing their overall score and making an effort to remain undisturbed. He said that he wants to witness how the main team plays against the world no 2 team. He wants to take home the lessons he learnt from the match and in the impending matches, they will play their best side to see what they can build against the team.