Harmanpreet proves to be the saviour once again as India escape with 1-1 draw against Argentina – ThePrint – PTIFeed

Paris, July 29 (PTI) Captain Harmanpreet Singh saved India with a last-minute penalty to draw former champions Argentina 1-1 in their Group B match on Monday.

India wasted as many as nine corner kicks before Harmanpreet found the back of the net and fired the ball into the top of the net.

Lucas Martinez gave his team the lead in the 22nd minute with a goal from the outfield, while Harmanpreet, who scored in the final minutes of the match against New Zealand, found the net a minute before the final whistle.

Coming into the match on the back of a loss to Australia, the Rio Olympic champions were desperate for a win but had to settle for a draw despite dominating the pitch for much of the match.

Argentina had the better of the ball possession while India struggled to break through the opposition area.

The first quarter remained goalless, with neither team able to capitalize on short corner kicks.

India continued to clear the ball in the air but suffered from a lack of finishing skills in the opposition defence.

The Argentines also looked for the ball in the air, but they also failed to score a goal.

In the 10th minute, India won a penalty but the Argentines saved Sanjay’s shot. Abhishek also took his chance but hit the crossbar in the 10th minute.

The South Americans had their first chance a minute later, but Domene’s shot was wide.

India conceded a few points in the second quarter but Argentine goalkeeper Tomas Santiago did not give up and saved captain Harmanpreet’s powerful shot with his right foot after saving the first danger.

The deadlock was broken in the second quarter when Argentina took the lead with an outfield goal.

India were left in shock when Martinez’s mis-hit shot flew into the net, evading the hands of diving keeper PR Sreejesh who should have saved it in the first place.

Martinez fired home his first-time shot from inside the penalty area after excellent skill from Bautista Zubeldia Capurro on the right wing.

Shaken by the strike, India quickly made a run at the opposing circle but lost possession and returned to the midfield. Most of the play was played in the Indian half.

Jarmanpreet tried to get a shot off from outside the circle on the right wing but failed and the Indians lost possession once again. The former champions were 1-0 up at half-time. The South Americans increased their attacking intensity in the third quarter. Manpreet and Abhishek also conjured up some movement but Santiago thwarted them.

In the 36th minute, Argentina got a short corner kick but couldn’t convert it, but to the great surprise of the team, Casella Schuth missed the penalty. It was a great opportunity to take a 2-0 lead, but he made a big mistake by shooting wide.

The Argentines largely controlled the game, keeping the ball in check, but towards the end of the last quarter India launched a series of aggressive attacks.

Unfortunately, they missed their next penalty as Harmanpreet’s shot was deflected by an attacking player.

A desperate Indian team launched another attack from the left flank but lost the ball at the edge of the circle.

The team looked to be heading towards their first defeat but Harmanpreet timed the game perfectly to turn the tables on PC. PTI AT KHS KHS

This report is generated automatically by PTI news service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.