Skipper Harmanpreet Singh rescued India by converting a last-minute penalty corner as they held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in a Pool B hockey match of the Paris Olympics here on Monday.
India had fluffed as many as nine penalty corners before Harmanpreet fired the ball into the top corner of the net.
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.
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 100 per cent and in 100 per cent ball, we need to convert with effort. We will keep that in mind going forward,” Harmanpreet said.
He 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.”
Coming into the match after losing to Australia, Argentina, the Rio Olympic champions, were desperate for a win but had to be content with a draw despite dominating for the better part of the match.
India struggled to penetrate the rival circle throughout. The first quarter remained goalless with the deadlock broken in the second.
Barring Harmanpreet’s late equaliser, it was an ordinary display from India. With tougher teams like Belgium and Australia ahead, India, bronze medallists from the Tokyo Olympics, must quickly sort out their game before it’stoo late.