Hockey World Cup: Argentina dash India’s slim semifinal hopes

Thirty-six seconds. That was all it took for India’s threadbare hope of reaching the FIH World Cup semifinals to disappear.At the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands, Argentina exposed India’s defensive frailties and ended Harmanpreet Singh and his men’s semifinal aspirations with a 5-3 win in their final Stage 2 match on Monday.Saturday’s 1-3 defeat to cohosts Netherlands had all but extinguished India’s hopes of a podium finish. Argentina, however, drove the final nail into the coffin.Lacklustre defending, poor marking and possession that produced little end product summed up India’s evening. For all their control of the ball, they struggled to keep Argentina’s attackers at bay.The only consolation was that two of India’s three goals came from open play. But seven penalty corners went begging, a statistic that once again underlined their struggles.Barely had India settled into the contest when Joaquin Toscani punished a defensive error. Jarmanpreet Singh failed to intercept a ball across the goalmouth and Toscani made no mistake, firing Argentina ahead.Argentina kept the pressure on and doubled their advantage. Nicolas della Torre converted the ir second penalty corner in the sixth minute, exposing another lapse in India’s defensive organisation.Sukhjeet Singh gave India a lifeline in the 10th minute, finishing from close range.India had opportunities to draw level in the second quarter but failed to take them.Argentina restored their two-goal advantage when Tomas Domene’s 33rd minute reverse hit beat goalkeeper HS Mohith.Domene then completed his brace in the 45th minute, converting a penalty stroke. Lucas Toscani added Argentina’s fifth, leaving Indian shoulders sagging.Sukhjeet pulled one back in the 58th minute before Hardil Singh reduced the margin further a minute later.India will now play Belgium in the 7-8 classification match.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.