Harmanpreet turns saviour again, India escape with 1-1 draw against Argentina

Paris, July 29

Skipper Harmanpreet Singh rescued India by converting a last-minute penalty corner as they held former champions Argentina to a 1-1 draw in a Pool B hockey match here today.

India fluffed as many as nine penalty corners before Harmanpreet found the net, firing the ball into the top corner. Argentina were left to rue the missed penalty stroke by Maico Casella in the 36th minute.

It was Lucas Martinez who had put his side ahead in the 22nd minute with a field goal and Harmanpreet, who had struck against New Zealand in the dying moments, found the net a minute before the final hooter. Despite the result, Harmanpreet did not feel that India fared poorly. “To be honest, we created a lot of chances. There were lots of open slots and counter balls. Finishing is where we need to do better. Even in 50-50 balls we have to give our 100 per cent. We will keep that in mind going forward,” Harmanpreet said.

The India captain was all praise for the Argentina defence. “That is something we can learn, it was a good lesson from this game. They also play overhead and we do the same,” he said.

Harmanpreet acknowledged that Argentina’s missed penalty stroke was a crucial point in the tight match. “You can say, that was our comeback point. We stayed confident and kept trying. Things would have been different if we were down 0-2,” he said.