The Indian men's hockey team played to a 1-1 draw against Argentina in their second Pool B match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday, held at Stade Yves-du-Manoir. Lucas Martinez (22') gave Rio 2016 champions Argentina the lead in the second quarter, but Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh (59') scored a late penalty corner goal to level the game. With one win and one draw in two matches, India is third in Pool B with four points. Belgium and Australia lead the table with six points each. The bronze medalists from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics had earlier secured a 3-2 victory over New Zealand in their opening match of the Paris 2024 campaign.
Ranked fifth in the world, India started the match positively. They earned the first penalty corner of the game in the 10th minute, but Sanjay's shot was saved by Argentine goalkeeper Tomas Santiago. A minute later, the team got another penalty corner, and this time, Abhishek hit the post. Two minutes later, India's experienced goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was called into action to save Agustin Mazzilli's attempt, ending the first quarter with Argentina, ranked seventh, missing a penalty corner.
In the second quarter, India earned three consecutive penalty corners within four minutes, but
Argentina's goalkeeper was ready to stop Harmanpreet's efforts. Argentina took the lead in the 22nd minute with Lucas Martinez's help. They dominated the third quarter and created several chances, but the Indian defense held firm. In the 37th minute, India breathed a sigh of relief after stopping Maico Casella's penalty stroke. Tomas Domene also came close with a few penalty corners but couldn't capitalize on the opportunities. India missed another penalty corner late in the quarter, and Santiago saved Sukhjeet Singh's shot.
In the fourth quarter, India went on the attack, and with just two minutes left, Abhishek had a strong chance. Hardik Singh and Harmanpreet's shots on penalty corners were continuously saved by the Argentine goalkeeper. However, with just a minute before the final hooter, Harmanpreet scored from a penalty corner, bringing India to a 1-1 draw.
India will face Ireland in their third Pool B match of the Paris 2024 Olympic hockey on Tuesday.
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