The Indian women’s hockey team beat world No. 2 Argentina in the first match of their FIH Hockey Pro League 2021/22 tie in Rotterdam, Netherlands on Saturday. After both the teams finished regulation time at 3-3, the Indian side beat Argentina 2-1 in a shootout via goals from Neha and Sonika.
Meanwhile, Lalremsiami (4′) and Gurjit Kaur (37′, 51′) were the scorers for India in regulation time, while Agustina Gorzelenei (22′, 37′, 45′) scored hat-tricks for Argentina.
The Indian team scored in the opening minutes of the first quarter with a brilliant pass from Neha to Vandana Katariya. Moments later, the Indian women’s hockey team earned a penalty corner, however, the Argentine defense unit ensured that the 0-0 deadlock was not broken. The Indians continued to put pressure on their opponents and Lalremsiami returned to the net in the fourth minute by deflecting a pass from Deep Grace Ekka.
all the time!
The team never gave up… and defeated Argentina in a shootout.
IND 3:3 ARG (SO 2:1)#IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia #FIHProLeague #MatchDay @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/oYNgbwAE83 – Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) June 18, 2022
The Argentine team tried to make a comeback in the 6th minute after scoring back-to-back penalty corners, but the Indians kept their opponents away. The rest of the first quarter saw a one-on-one match between India and Argentina.
The Indians rode on the pace and entered a circle in the opening minutes of the second quarter, however, they found no way to extend their lead. The Argentine team retaliated and earned a penalty corner in the 21st minute, but the Indian defense unit ensured that the ball stayed away from their target.
However, the Argentine team earned another penalty corner soon after, and Agustina Gorzelny did not miss an equalizer in the 22nd minute. Neha scored a fine run in the 30th minute to get a penalty corner, but the Indians could not take advantage of the opportunity.
Salima Tete scored a brilliant run in the opening minutes of the second half and took a shot, but she did not find the back of the net. Moments later, the Argentine team entered a circle and earned a penalty stroke. Gorzeleni made his mark and helped Argentina take a 2-1 lead in the 37th minute.
However, the Indian team made a swift comeback and earned a penalty corner as Gurjit Kaur hammered the ball into the goal and leveled the score at 2-2. Argentina secured one penalty corner after another in the 41st minute, but the Indian defense stood everything and kept their opponents away. However, in the final minute of the third quarter, Agustina Gorzelny converted a penalty corner to give Argentina a 3–2 lead.
Neha is the Player of the Match in the FIH Hockey Pro League (Women) 2021-22 for her tremendous performance against Argentina today! #IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia #FIHProLeague #MatchDay @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/2m7AnpMiJt
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) June 18, 2022
Lalremsiami and Salima Tete were in excellent position to level in the 48th minute, but they could not find a way to hit the ball into the goal. The Indians continued to put pressure on their opponents as Gurjit Kaur scored a penalty corner in the 51st minute to help India level the score at 3-3. Following this, both sides played a tough match before ending the match’s regulation time 3–3.
The Indian women’s hockey team will next take on the United States of America in Rotterdam, Netherlands on June 21 and 22.