Friday, January 23, 2009

Argentina beat India 4-2, level series

ARGENTINA: Indian hockey team succumbed to their second straight defeat, going down 2-4 in the final match to allow Argentina level the four-match Te
st series on Friday.

A shaky defence and a profligate forward line let down India as Sandeep Singh and his men squandered a 2-1 lead and conceded three second half goals to share the honours in the four-match series which they lead 2-0 at the midway stage.

Bharat Chikara opened India's account in the seventh minute with a field goal before captain Sandeep Singh sounded the board from a penalty corner set-piece.

Argentina struck in the 31st, 37th, 39th and 58th minutes through Matias Vila, Juan Gilardi, Facundo Callioni and Matias Paredes respectively to emerge winners at the Estadio Panamericano.

The Indian team kicked off its campaign on a positive note, blanking the hosts 2-0 in the series opener and following it with a narrow 3-2 win.

Trailing them 0-2, Argentina staged a brilliant comeback in the second half of the series and beat India 2-0 in the third Test to stay afloat and eventually drew level with Friday's win.

The Indian team now leaves for Mumbai en route to Chandigarh for the Four-Nation Punjab Gold Cup starting later this month. Apart from the hosts, the event will also feature Germany, Holland and New Zealand.

Soruce: http://sports.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/opinions/4020590.cms

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