So near, yet so far for Indian Indian hockey eves. After dying odds to make maiden Olympic semis, Rani Rampal & Co failed to beat Argentina on Wednesday. Like their male compatriots, they will now play for the bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics. And their opponents are Great Britain, who were humbled by the Netherlands 5-1 earlier today. In a match of limited chances, India took an early lead through drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur inside the second minute. But Argentina found their equaliser in the 18th and the winner in the 36th minute, both through skipper Noel Maria Barrionuevo, from PCs. Argentina created six chances, as against India's four. Argentina also enjoyed greater possession, 53 to 49. Catch highlights here:
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5:04 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
It's over for India. They will now play for bronze medal. But what a campaign this has been.
5:06 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
This is the moment. And no. Heartbreak for India. No PC. India are still protesting. Long corner instead?
5:03 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
Probably one last chance. Not. Not happening. Lose possession again inside the Argentine half.
Yes. A deflection and India are asking for PC.
Seconds left in the match.
5:02 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
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Fortunate for India that an attacking Argentine player foot faults inside the D. Navneet Kaur fails to find a teammate. And Argentina once again on the move. They are keeping the right flank busy.
Less than two minutes left.
5:00 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
Long corner and a rare turn-over for India, but end up losing possession. Free-hit for Argentina inside the Indian half. Out of bounds, and India launch a move.
Then, another Argentina move. India's poor possession game is a shame. Four minutes left in the match.
4:57 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
Now, Argentina's turn to roll the ball back and forth. Moccia, who just concede a PC, gets a brilliant run on the left flank. Switches flanks, and Argentina happily keep possession.
4:55 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
Another good move from India, this time from the right flank. Monika to the fore and India win their fourth PC. Poor stick work from Rocio Sanchez Moccia.
And what. A brilliant save from Belen Maria.
4:53 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
Again, India need a miracle in Tokyo to make their maiden Olympic final. Pushing for the equaliser and almost. Monika and Rani link up inside the Argentine D and Monika's push just misses the target.
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4:50 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
Now or never for Indian eves. But Argentina are having a whale of a time. Winning possession easily.
4:46 PM IST: Fourth-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
Finally, a good spell for India. Less than a minute in the quarter. And they lose possession. Argentina doing enough to keep the possession.
Now, 15 minutes for India to do something.
4:44 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
India struggling to make meaningful move. And losing possession too easily. Tired bodies.
4:42 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
Five minutes left in the quarter. India's bid to make a rare circle penetration in the quarter is thwarted. Long ball, and India win back the possession.
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4:40 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
India losing steam. Free-hit for Argentina. Neha takes a breather.
4: 38 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
India putting bodies in defence. Seven minutes left in the third quarter. Navneet Kaur on the run. Body check, and free-hit for India inside the Argentine half. But soon lose possession.
4:34 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-2 Argentina
And goal from the Argentine captain Maria Noel. But India challenge it. Ball hits Sushila Pukhrambam.
Given given. 36th minute.
4:32 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Deep Grace Ekka, foot fault and PC for Argentina. Asks to be retaken again as Indian players leave the line too early.
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4:29 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Argentina sure are in the ascendency. India win possession back inside their own half, and Sharmila Devi on with a scorching run on the right flank. But pressure is still on.
4:27 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Strong start from Argentina. Within seconds, they get the first circle penetration of the quarter. Being reviewed for a possible PC.
4:24 PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Players are back. 30 minutes to decide the winners.
4:18 PM IST: Half-time - India 1-1 Argentina
It's 50-50 possession-wise in the first half. But Argentina have four chances, all PCs as against India's two, both PCs.
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4:14 PM IST: Second-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Indian defence under constant pressure. An aerial ball finds Navneet Kaur inside the Argentine half. But India fail to keep possession. Argentina switch flanks, and another promising move for the world number 2.
And it's half-time.
4:10 PM IST: Second-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Just under four minutes left in the quarter. And Argentina win the review. Free hit for India. But lose possession. And another PC for Argentina as Agustina beats a double defence on the byline.
4:06 PM IST: Second-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
India win a PC. From the following play, another PC. Probably because one of the Argentine players still wearing the mask after the PC. Being reviewed...
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4:04 PM IST: Second-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Possession 50-50 with six minutes left in the second quarter. Argentina's nine circle penetration as against four for India. Free kick for Argentina just outside the Indian D. Sound of ball hitting the plank. But it's from outside.
4:01 PM IST: Second-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Julieta Jankunas manages to break from the Indian defenders but Savita leaves her line to block. Anxious moments for India.
4:00 PM IST: Second-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Scrappy play from India inside their half. But manage to win back possession. In fact, get another circle penetration. Play now a midfield affair.
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3:57 PM IST: Second-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Salima Tete manages to beat Argentine defence from the right flank but fails to connect and on the counter, Argentina win their third PC. Gurjit Kaur foot fault.
Maria Noel BARRIONUEVO beats Savita to the left.
3:55 PM IST: Second-quarter - India 1-0 Argentina
Scintalating run from Agustina ALBERTARRIO and she wins a PC for Argentina. 18th minute!
3:49 PM IST: First-quarter - India 1-0 Argentina
Dominating run from Rocio Sanchez Moccia on the left flank. But a stick check ends her run. Umpire fails to see it. And a clash between Navneet and Agustina. Both are off of the field. Free hit for India. Tough talk from the umpire.
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3:45 PM IST: First-quarter - India 1-0 Argentina
Blistering run from skipper Rani Rampal and she wins a free-hit inside the Argentina half. India, however, opt to pull back. Switching flanks. Looking good, tactically.
3:43 PM IST: First-quarter - India 1-0 Argentina
Desperate chase from Delfina Merino to keep the long ball in play. But nothing from it. Argentina are using 'scoop' liberally. Another move thwart by India. Free hit for India.
3:42 PM IST: First-quarter - India 1-0 Argentina
India thwart Argentine attack. And manage to have second circle entry with Rani Rampal on the ball.
3:40 PM IST: First-quarter - India 1-0 Argentina
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Fifth circle penetration and Argentina win their first PC with little over seven minutes left in the quarter.
3:37 PM IST: First-quarter - India 1-0 Argentina
Argentina mounting fast pace attacks but Indian defence up to the task.
3:33 PM IST: First-quarter - India 1-0 Argentina
India win first PC. Promising start from the Indian eves. And Gurjit Kaur scores.
3:13 PM IST: The winners of India vs Argentina will face the Netherlands, who defeated Great Britain 5-1 in the first semis.
2:45 PM IST: India's starting XI revealed
Preview
World No. 7 Indian women produced the performance of their lives to claim a stunning quarter-final victory over Pool B winners Australia. This guaranteed Rani's team a first top four finish at an Olympic Games since Moscow 1980. Gurjit Kaur scored the only goal of the game as India, who finished 12th in the standings at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
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Argentina defeated the much-fancied Germany. Goals from Agustina Albertarrio, Victoria Granatto and rising star Valentina Raposo earned Las Leonas a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
It is the fifth time that Argentina’s women have reached the final four of the Olympic Games, having medalled on each of the four previous occasions (silver – Sydney 2000, London 2012; bronze – Athens 2004, Beijing 2008).
India and Argentina played a long series in January 2021. That was the last time the Indian women hockey team played a competitive tournament overseas. Indian women played seven matches against various Argentine team and even if they did not win any, they impressed in every outing.
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After losing three group matches on the trot, India are on a definite high but it will be a battle or nerves on Wednesday.
"It will be a difficult match for us, I think Argentina is a good team. We played them in January and we know that Argentina is a hard team to beat. Their defence is very strong," said Indian coach Sjoerd Marijne.
"We have to convert our goal-scoring opportunities like we converted the penalty corner against Australia. It's all about focusing on the task and staying in the moment and being busy with what we have to do well ourselves. I have told all the girls again that it's about putting all the energy you have in the match," said the Dutch coach.
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4: PM IST: Third-quarter - India 1-1 Argentina
Deep Grace Ekka, foot fault and PC for Argentina. Asks to be retaken again as Indian players leave the line too early.
