Hockey: Fighting India go down to Argentina 2-3 in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup opener
Argentina's penalty-corner specialist Gonzalo Peillat scored a hat-trick to lead his team's win. Amit Rohidas scored both the goals for India
FULL TIME: Argentina beat India 3-2 thanks to a PC hat-trick by Gonzalo Peillat. Amit Rohidas also converted two PCs for India but it wasn't good enough in the end as the Indian forwards scratched around in front of the post despite making more circle penetrations than the Argentine strikers.
Ah! Ramandeep had a chance at the far post of Argentine goal but couldn't trap it. Last 2 min in the game. ARG 3 - 2 IND
Argentina aren't intent on attack, like before rain delay. India having one eye on the clock, as it shows just over four minutes left in the game. And yellow card for Sumit. So India down to 10 men for the remainder of the match. ARG 3 - 2 IND
As long as there's no lightning, hockey can continue, but the pitch has taken a lot of water and will be slower than it was before it rained. Argentina might decide to huddle back in defence and defend their one-goal lead. Just over 8 min left now.
Update: The match is about to restart as weather clears up a little in Ipoh. ARG lead India 3-1 with 11 min 29 sec left in Q4.
Match stopped due to rain, thunder and lightning. It's a regular feature in evenings at Ipoh. Stay tuned for the latest. ARG leading India 3-2 in Q4.
Heavy rain lashes the Azlan Shah Stadium as Q4 commences.
Two goals in three minutes of Q3. Amit Rohidas made it 2-2 in the 32nd min and Peillat gets his hat-trick in the very next minute to get Argentia back in lead at 3-2.
Half-Time: Argentina 2 - 1 India (Peillat scored both goals for ARG, Amit Rohidas pulled one back for IND).
India's midfield play not working for them, and the forwards lacking sharpness.
28th min: Shoddy play from Indian defenders. Another PC for Argentina, but Peillat's flick blocked well this time by the Indian rusher. ARG 2 - 1 IND
26th min: PS decision changed to PC. But Vivaldi pads the flick easily. But aerial ricochet. Another PC for India. GOAL! This time they score through Amit Rohidas. ARG 2 - 1 IND
First PC for India! But after Sumit and Talwinder failed to convert a field effort. Penalty Stroke! After a defender's foot stopped the ball at the goal-line. But the Argentine's are asking for a video referral, claiming it was a stick, not foot.
24th min: GOAL! Third PC for Argentina, and second strike for Peillat. How do you stop that man, especially with no Sreejesh in the post for India. 2-0 to Argentina in Q2.
22nd min: India not being allowed to carry the ball past the Argentine 25. Not enough circle penetrations in this quarter by the Indian forwards. Sardar, too, hasn't been able to control and guide play from the midfield.
20th min: India more of ball-chasers in this quarter as Argentina enjoying more of the possession and not allowing any Indian interceptions in the midfield. ARG 1 - 0 IND
End of the first quarter - Argentina 1 - 0 India. Peillat the scorer.
13th min: Penalty corner to Argentina, the first of the game. Blocked. Another PC. This time Peillat gets it right. GOAL! Sounds the board. Argentina up 1-0.
11th min: Into the last five minutes of the first quarter and it's still goal-less and more of a check-game from both the sides.
8th min: Rossi enters the Indian circle from the right, pushes the ball in and raises his hand for a penalty corner. Umpire didn't agree and he asked for a video referral. "No advice possible as the camera angle was not good enough". Argentina keep the referral. So a free hit to India.
4th min: Teams trying to gauge each other's game as India get their first look at goal from the right but blocked by the Argentine 'keeper. 0-0
We are all set to begin the tournament opener. Remember, India going in with three debutants. No Manpreet, Rupinder Pal, Sreejesh or Akashdeep in the squad as they have been rested. Sardar leading the team - something he did for the first time at the same tournament in 2008.
The teams have lined up for the national anthems - the Indian team in all-white and the Argentines in blue.
Here's India's starting line-up:
Here is the starting line-up for Indian Men's Hockey Team as they lock horns with Argentina in the opening match of the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on 3rd March 2018. Catch the action LIVE on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD and Hotstar from 1:30 PM IST.#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/btkDRyBMUE
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 3, 2018
Here's what India coach Sjoerd Marijne had to say about the team's preparation and prospects in Ipoh
Sjoerd Marijne, Chief Coach of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team believes the team will go through a tough challenge in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, starting on 3rd March, which will help them prepare for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. #IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/cPXWdppAfr
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 1, 2018
India are vying for a sixth Sultan Azlan Shah title and will face Rio Olympic champions Argentina in their first match at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh, the tournament's permanent home.
Hello and welcome to Zee News Sports' coverage of Indian hockey, and it's the men's team that begins its journey in a big year that includes the Commonwealth Games, Champions Trophy, Asian Games and the World Cup.
