After going in front, the Indian women’s hockey team were unable to hold on to their lead as they will now play Great Britain for the bronze match.
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The dream run enjoyed by the Indian women’s hockey team was finally ended by a spirited Argentinian side in the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday. After going in front in the first quarter, the Indian side were not able to hold on to their lead as they ended up losing the last four match 1-2 at the Oi Hockey Stadium. Gurjit Kaur scored the only goal for India while Maria Noel Barrionuevo netted twice for Argentina in a high-octane semifinal match. India will now play Great Britain for the bronze match. In the other semifinal, the Netherlands had trounced Great Britain 5-1 on Friday to reach the final.
Earlier, the Indian team made a great start as they went in front within two minutes. From a penalty corner, Gurjit Singh – carrying out the drag-flick – opened the scoring as her shot somehow found its way through a crowded penalty circle and into the Argentina net. Indian maintained that lead till the end of the opening quarter. India could not have hoped for a better start to the match as they were on the front foot for most of the first quarter. Not only did India move the ball well while attacking, but they also maintained a compact shape while defending. However, things began to change after that.
Argentina started the second quarter on an attacking note and immediately put India under pressure. With Argentina registering multiple penalty corners, the pressure finally paid off. In the third minute of the second quarter, captain Maria Noel Barrionuevo carried out the drag-flick and found the equaliser. The Argentinians were in control for most of the second quarter, until India made a circle penetration in the 11th minute of that quarter and earned two penalty corners, however, they were not able to make the most of it. The match ended 1-1 at halftime and Argentina came out as the stronger of the two sides in the second half.
Argentina made a brilliant run on the left flank in the third minute of the third quarter and made a circle penetration, however, the Indians directed the ball away from the goal. Soon after, Sharmila Devi made a great run on the left flank, but the ball was intercepted by her opponents near the circle. Argentina continued to mount pressure on the Indians and earned a penalty corner in the 5th minute of the third quarter. Captain Barrionuevo (36′) converted another drag-flick to put her team 2-1 ahead in the match.
The Indian team started the fourth quarter with more intent and played aggressively as they put pressure on the Argentinian defence. In the 5th minute of the final quarter, Navneet Kaur and Monika took the ball close to the goal as the former took a shot, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Soon after, the Indians earned a penalty corner and Gurjit Kaur carried out the drag-flick, but her effort was saved brilliantly by the Argentinian goalkeeper.
The Indians kept pressing hard and putting pressure on the opponents but the Argentinians held their ground for the rest of the quarter. In the final minute of the match, India created a chance out of nothing, however, their shot was saved by the Argentinian goalkeeper. The Indian team will now take on Great Britain in the bronze medal match at 07:00 hrs IST on Friday.
