Hockey Champions Trophy: Argentina thrash India

Bhubaneshwar: India squandered the earned lead on two occasions as they slumped to their second successive defeat losing 2-4 to World Cup bronze medallists Argentina in the Hero Champions Trophy, here on Sunday.

India’s fragile backline hurt them again as their lead didn’t even last a minute on both occasions in the Pool B match. For the hosts, Akashdeep Singh (30th) and Gurjinder Singh (30th) scored the goals, while Lucas Villa (30th), Juan Lopez (37th), Gustin Mazzilli (49th) and Joaquin Menini found the net for the winners.

While the home forwards many chances, the defence was chasing shadows on a number of occasions when the Argentines’ counter-attacked. This was India’s second on the trot in the tournament after a 0-1 defeat to Olympic champions Germany on Saturday.

India will face the Netherlands in their last pool match on Tuesday, which will decide their quarter-final opponents, while Argentina will be up against Germany.

Earlier, Tom Boon slammed in a last-gasp penalty corner to help Belgium force a dramatic 4-4 draw from world number 1 Australia.England destroyed Pakistan 8-2 in another pool A match, to build on the 3-1 win over Australia in their opening game.

Australia appeared headed for an easy victory when they ran up a 3-0 lead by the 21st minute. But the Belgians scored twice in quick succession to make it 2-3 at half-time.

England pumped in four goals in the second quarter to take a 5-0 lead over Pakistan by half-time.Two more goals in the third and fourth quarters increased the tally to 7-0 before Muhammad Qadir put Pakistan on the board three minutes from the end.