India suffered a close 1-2 defeat against Argentina in their FIH Pro League game in Amstelveen, Netherlands today. Jugraj Singh (4') netted a goal for the Indian team, while for Argentina, Tomas Domene (9', 49') scored a brace. Notably, India's regular Captain Harmanpreet Singh missed the game due to a finger tissue injury sustained in the previous match.
Argentina started the game with high pressing and greater ball possession, but India responded with sharp passing and swift circle entries. This early momentum earned them a penalty corner, which Jugraj Singh converted with a powerful drag flick to hand India the lead. Argentina quickly earned a penalty corner of their own, but Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak made a crucial save and cleared the danger. Moments later, Pathak was called into action again, diving to deny another Argentine penalty corner conversion. However, the Argentines got third time lucky as Tomas Domene fired home to level the score.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in the seconf and third quarters, and neither side managed to create any substantial threats in the attacking circle.
Argentina came out strong in the fourth quarter, applying relentless pressure on India's defence with aggressive pressing. Their efforts soon bore fruit as Domene struck his second goal of the match, once again converting a penalty corner to give Argentina a 2-1 lead. Trailing for the first time in the game, India shifted to a long-passing strategy in search of an equaliser. However, Argentina remained compact at the back, successfully absorbing the pressure and denying India any clear breakthroughs.
India's best opportunity came in the dying moments when they were awarded a penalty stroke with less than two minutes left on the clock. Jugraj Singh stepped up to take the shot, but his effort was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Tomas Santiago. The crucial save ensured Argentina held on to their narrow lead, eventually sealing a 2-1 victory.
As a result of the loss, India now sit fifth in the points table with 15 points from 12 matches. They will next play against Australia on 14th June.
You can relive the play-by-play action from the match on our blog, below: