India survived a final-quarter onslaught from Argentina for a nail-biting 2-1 win that enhances their quarterfinal chances at the Rio Olympics.
The team’s second win in the Pool stage has virtually secured India a last 8 berth as they rise to the second position with six points.
India were the better side in the first three quarters and took the lead through Chinglensana Singh (8th minute) before fellow Manipuri player Kothajit Singh doubled the scoreline with a field strike in the 35th minute.
However, it was a tense final quarter for the Indians after drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat pulled one back for Argentina in the 49th minute by converting their first penalty corner of the match with a lethal strike that beat goalkeeper PR Sreejesh all ends up.
It looked as if it would turn out to be another heart break for the Indians, following their 1-2 loss to Germany yesterday after conceding a goal in the dying moments, as the game was mostly played in the Indian half thereafter.
If not for Sreejesh, India could have suffered their second successive defeat in the Games. But the trusted keeper pulled off as many as five saves to deny Peillat and the Argentines.
The win against Argentina is of great significance for India as they last defeated the Los Leones way back in 2009 Champions Challenge, where they won 3-2. In the recent past, both the teams played a 3-3 draw at the six-nation tournament in Valencia ahead of the Games.
India will next play London Olympic silver medallist Netherlands in their penultimate pool match on Thursday.
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