India eves go down 0-5 to Argentina in final hockey encounter at the Olympics

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13 August 2016: India lost to Argentina 0-5 in their last group game at the Olympic Women’s hockey tournament in Rio on Saturday.

The first quarter ended up being low on goal side action as India played a deep defensive line to thwart Argentina. They kept probing though. Savita’s first save was off a Carla Rebecchi shot in the fifth minute and then she was in the thick of it again, denying Maria Granatto and Maria Campoy to take India into the break with the scoreline 0-0.

Despite the pressure and the possession, Argentina hadn’t won a PC till the last minute of the first quarter; Savita smartly saving off Rebecchi.

In the second quarter, they rallied of a series of PCs — six in the opening minute, as Savita pulled off save after save, the Indian defence charging and holding firm denying their opponents the breakthrough. The opener finally came in the 16th minute via Martina Cavallero. India had a chance almost immediately, Lilima Minz from their first PC drawing a save from Belen Succi in Argentina’s goal.

From there on the Argentines took the game by the scruff of the neck, with a flurry of goals, from Granatto (23’), Rebecchi (26’), Agustina Albertarrio (27’) before Cavallero scored her second (29’). They went into half time leading 5-0.

India had a succession of PCs at the end of the quarter, and Rani’s attempt off the second was blocked away by Argentina. India, despite being down were playing adventurous hockey, and a minute later, Poonam Rani brought out a save from Argentina’s substitute goalkeeper Maria Mutio. A minute later it was Namita Toppo with an attempt, and then Anuradha Thokchom with a diving deflection, Mutio pulling off a double save. There were initial doubts about the save though, India referring to see if it had crossed the line. A lack of a good view for the video umpire would mean the on field umpire’s decision would stay. India would keep their referral though. Despite the scoreline, India would go into the final break knowing they had grabbed a bit of momentum in the final minutes of the quarter.

That momentum carried through to the final quarter, India dominant in the opening exchanges. Soon enough Mutio was the busier goalkeeper, pulling off saves from Deepika and Vandana Katariya. India had a PC soon after, but Rani’s PC was blocked by the Argentine chargers. Against the run of play, Argentina pressed forward, and almost had their sixth, denied by some superb last ditch defending by Deep Grace Ekka.

India pressed on in the closing stages, by now looking for a consolation. Argetina held out though to end up as 5-0 winners.

Speaking after the game, Chief Coach Neil Hawgood said, “We played very strong and good hockey for the majority of the match and fashioned chances too. But a brief spell where we seemed to switch off cost us heavily in the second quarter. It’s a great experience for the team, the entire Olympics and shows how far we have come and also have to go. The experience will inspire more presence at big tournaments and good performances out of them.”