5 min learnNew DelhiFeb 15, 2026 11:41 PM IST
As India wrapped up a forgettable dwelling leg in FIH Professional League with 4 defeats in 4 matches, head coach Craig Fulton’s response was: “Decide us when every part is in sync.” On Sunday, nevertheless, ‘sync’ was lacking massive time as India had been as soon as once more overwhelmed by Argentina, this time by a 2-4 scoreline. Throughout the 4 matches, India conceded 19 targets and scored simply 5 targets.
Even when every part just isn’t in sync, doing the fundamentals proper on the elite degree in any sport is necessary. After a 0-8 drubbing in opposition to Argentina within the earlier conflict, the final two defeats in opposition to Belgium and Argentina by 2-4 scorelines seem respectable, however the extra regarding bit was the shortage of software by the Indian gamers.
India saved shedding possession in midfield, had been stagnant in defence and made poor choices in assault. The numbers of the match advised the identical story. Argentina had 55% possession as in comparison with India’s 45%, had extra circle entries (18 to 12), and earned extra penalty corners (9 to 2).
Argentine midfielder Tadeo Marcucci was awarded the participant of the match for scoring twice and each his targets got here from the shortage of sharpness of Indian defenders. The primary one within the twenty eighth minute was a thunderous strike the place he trapped an aerial ball from the left aspect and unleashed an unstoppable shot to sound the board. Not one of the Indian defenders closed Marcucci down in the course of the 10-second sequence of him receiving the ball and scoring the aim.
For his second aim, Marcucci was standing on the far put up within the forty ninth minute when a well-worked penalty nook routine deflected off Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera and reached him. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh tried to clear the ball and stopped for a short time frame, permitting the Argentine quantity 27 to slide the ball within the aim.
Earlier than the beginning of the match, Fulton talked about that India would want to get higher once they win again the ball. Nonetheless, the extra distinguished sight in the course of the recreation was Indian midfielders and defenders dashing again to their very own circle after shedding the ball in disadvantageous positions. Skilled names similar to Amit Rohidas had been responsible of giving Argentina many probabilities within the midfield to counter-attack.
Within the post-match presentation, an exasperated Harmanpreet mentioned, “The beginning was good however we’re making the identical errors of not ending the probabilities.” Nonetheless, India barely created something within the first half, getting into the circle simply 4 occasions and recording one shot which went above the aim.
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The Indian attackers grew to become extra lively within the final two quarters, getting into the circle 4 occasions every and scoring two targets however that was too little too late. Children Karthi Selvam and Aditya had been additionally liable for skying probabilities with simply Tomas Santiago to beat.
The one shiny spot for India was the improved recreation of Aditya Lalage and midfield engine Hardik Singh. Group’s vice-captain Hardik was doing his ordinary function of operating the size of the pitch, continuously carrying the ball whereas dodging Argentine defence, however barely discovered any help from his attackers and midfielders. Aditya scored within the fiftieth minute after Hardik drove on the Argentine defence like a person possessed, dodging three defenders and placing in direction of the aim, which was turned in by Aditya.
India’s second aim got here from a penalty stroke after goalkeeper Santiago broke the rhythm of the play when Karthi acquired an aerial ball. Sanjay got here to take the penalty stroke forward of designated taker Harmanpreet, sending Santiago the flawed method and scoring one other comfort aim for the hosts.
What’s subsequent for India?
The Indian workforce have one other robust job at hand as they journey to Hobart, Australia to play the subsequent leg of the match. India will play two video games in opposition to the hosts Australia and two video games in opposition to Spain. Whereas Spain have additionally misplaced their 4 matches within the first leg, Australia has been in red-hot kind, defeating World Champions Germany and Pakistan twice every.
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“This era of December to February is a tricky one. We all the time must handle some accidents like Sukhi (Sukhjeet Singh) is injured proper now and Shila (Shilanand Lakra) additionally got here off. So, we must see that additionally,” Fulton advised reporters after the match. India squad will see some modifications as coach Fulton plans to present probabilities to the opposite gamers who’re a part of the camp. “The entire block was about rotation. The primary ones have performed, and we may have one other group becoming a member of us now,” he mentioned.
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