The Indian males’s hockey workforce’s return to FIH Professional League motion on Wednesday in Antwerp was a case of 1 factor we knew nicely about them and one other the place loads of enchancment is anticipated.
There isn’t a doubting the legacy of PR Sreejesh in Indian hockey, however the 36-year-old supplied one other reminder that he’s not simply right here by popularity, however on the load of his performances. Then again, there was loads of scrutiny of the workforce’s means to attain subject objectives in huge matches and never simply rely on drag flicks.
The two-2 attract regulation towards Argentina showcased Sreejesh at his best. He then stepped as much as make essential interventions within the shootout as nicely, which India edged 5-4 to earn a bonus level. It could be anticipated brilliance, however it’s brilliance nonetheless that must be appreciated as Sreejesh retains enhancing his popularity as India’s No. 1 goalkeeper.
📸Thrilling moments from the India vs Argentina Males’s sport within the #FIHProLeague 2024 at the moment. #HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #IndiaMensTeam
.
.
.
.@FIH_Hockey @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @Limca_Official @CocaCola_Ind pic.twitter.com/grN10oQKZI— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) May 22, 2024
An even bigger takeaway, nevertheless, had been India’s two objectives. It’s not usually that they end a match with a 100 per cent fee for subject objectives, with no contribution from the drag glints.
Mandeep Singh (11’) and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (55’) scored a aim every for India within the first and ultimate quarters, in a match the place India’s degree fluctuated throughout the 60 minutes. For Argentina, Lucas Martinez (20’) and Tomas Domene (60’) had been on the scoresheet, with the late equaliser coming from a mixture of India’s errors in possession and a controversial resolution by the video umpire.
India began the match nicely, controlling possession nicely within the first quarter. Even earlier than the opening aim, Abhishek’s reverse hit was saved out by goalkeeper Tomas Santiago’s outstretched proper stick.
Akashdeep Singh additionally had an opportunity to open the scoring however finally, it got here from Mandeep who hit a first-time shot at aim after good work from Raj Kumar Pal and Abhishek. It’s the kind of mixture play that Fulton has been asking for from his forwards – decisive with passes, instinctive with finishes.
Argentina grew into the match and India’s management of possession began eluding them. One of many points that Fulton would wish to deal with is the fluctuation of ranges between quarters. The second and third had been largely in Argentina’s favour, as their tempo of passing saved India pegged again. That’s when Sreejesh needed to be at his greatest. Even the equaliser was after the Indian veteran had put his proper leg out to make a surprising save, however the rebound fell unkindly for the Indian defence.
Within the fourth quarter, he saved thrice along with his gloves in a matter of seconds from a Penalty Nook state of affairs. As if that wasn’t sufficient, he obtained his left foot out to maintain the retake out.
That it was nonetheless 1-1 was largely due to the star custodian, who would finally be declared the participant of the match. India then scored a second subject aim of the day as Hardik Singh performed a pleasant aerial from the precise flank to left, managed equally nicely by Jarmanpreet Singh. His cutback was deflected by the goalkeeper to Lalit who was sharp to complete into an empty internet.
Sukhjeet Singh conceding possession with seconds left on the clock by dallying on the ball will frustrate India as a lot because the video umpire’s resolution to award a PC regardless of no proof of a stick deal with. Argentina levelled within the final minute however Sreejesh, Harmanpreet Singh and Co managed to win the shootout to complete with a deserved bonus.
📸 Glimpses from the India vs Argentina Girls’s sport within the #FIHProLeague24 at the moment. #HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #IndiaWomensTeam
.
.
.
.@FIH_Hockey @CMO_Odisha @sports_odisha @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @Limca_Official @CocaCola_Ind pic.twitter.com/6uqOKvLhbP— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) May 22, 2024
Girls’s workforce lose 0-5
Whereas the official announcement hasn’t been made, coach Harendra Singh was in control of the Indian girls’s workforce after Janneke Schopman’s latest exit. With Salima Tete promoted as captain, India would have hoped for a greater exhibiting towards world No. 2 Argentina.
However, with the injuries of not qualifying for the Paris Olympics maybe nonetheless rating a majority of the squad, a 0-5 defeat was a mirrored image of the quantity of labor Harendra has in entrance of him. India had moments of brilliance in assault however nothing sustained sufficient to hassle Argentina, who scored a aim every within the first three quarters and two within the ultimate.