BHUBANESWAR: Is it one step forward and two steps back for Indian hockey? The disappointing performance the team has put up so far in the 35th Men’s Champions Trophy indicates such. Despite taking the lead twice, India continued to concede late goals and suffered a 2-4 drubbing against Argentina in their second Pool B match on Sunday.
There was shock in store for Pakistan, as they were hammered 8-2 by England. After beating Pakistan a day earlier, Belgium overturned a 0-3 deficit against Australia to draw 4-4.
This was India’s second successive defeat, which consigned them to the bottom of the table. Cheered by 7,000 vociferous home fans, India forged ahead in the third minute thanks to Ramandeep Singh’s field goal. But it was disallowed because Ramandeep had hit from just outside the semi-circle.
India missed another chance as Lalit Upadhyaya’s deflection off Dharamvir Singh’s hit rebounded off the right post in the 23rd minute. A few minutes later, Argentina survived another scare when VR Raghunath’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Juan Vivaldi.
The home team’s efforts bore fruit in the 30th minute when Akashdeep Singh struck, deflecting Gurjinder Singh’s superb pass from near the centre-line. The joy were short-lived as Lucas Vila equalised from a goalmouth melee.
A repeat of the two goals was witnessed seven minutes later with Gurjinder restoring India’s lead, converting the first penalty-corner, with Argentina restoring parity through a field goal by Juan Lopez. Though drag-flicker Gurjinder put India ahead for the third time, converting the team’s second penalty-corner a few minutes later, the goal was disallowed after an appeal by the opposition.
In the last quarter, India’s defence committed the old mistakes, which resulted in two more field goals through Augustin Mazzilli (49th) and Joaquin Menini (59th).
Captain Sardar Singh admitted India lost the match due to lapses. “We played well in the first three quarters, but conceded soft goals in due to defensive mistakes. There’s is still hope and we’ll try our best against Netherlands,” he said.
Heavy Defeat
England mauled Pakistan 8-2 in a Pool A match. This was one of the most lop-sided matches in the history of Champions Trophy and the second worst defeat for Pakistan, after the 9-2 drubbing against the Netherlands in the 2006 edition of this championship.
England’s goals were scored by eight players. Ashley Jackson converted a penalty-corner in the 26th minute, while Mark Greghorne (15), Nick Catlin (17), David Condon (19), Barry Middleton (24), Samuel Ward (45), Alastair Brogdon (48) and Chris Griffiths (59) scored field goals. Pakistan, comprising a number of rookies, struck through Muhammad Arslan Qadir (57) and Muhammad Irfan (59).
Pakistan coach Sheikh Shahnaz said, “We conceded in the last minute of the first quarter, which proved to be the turning point. We gave too much space and the goalkeeper couldn’t do much.”
Tom Boon’s last-second field goal helped Belgium fight back from 0-3 down to hold Australia 4-4 in Pool A. Boon, costliest player in next month’s Hockey India League, scored the spectacular goal after recovering a miscued drag-flick.
Australia coach Graham Reid said, “We dominated throughout and scored through the opportunities that the boys got, but it’s a disappointing end. We have to be more vigilant in defence in the upcoming matches.”