India Fight Back to Draw 2-2 Against Argentina, Lose in Shootout – FIH Women’s Pro League 2024-25

Image Credit: FIH

India’s women’s hockey team produced a spirited comeback to hold world No. 2 Argentina to a 2-2 draw in regular time, before going down 0-2 in the penalty shootout at the FIH Women’s Pro League clash in London on Wednesday.

After trailing 0-2 heading into the final quarter, India clawed their way back into the game with two brilliant goals from Navneet Kaur and Deepika. Although the match eventually slipped away in the shootout, the fight shown by the Indian side brought them their first point of the European leg and halted a three-match losing streak.

Argentina opened the scoring late in the second quarter through Agustina Gorzelany, who converted their first penalty corner with a fierce drag flick. She doubled the lead in the third quarter, again making no mistake from a penalty corner and beating the Indian defence with precision and power.

India, who had looked promising with their build-up play, found it hard to break through a compact Argentine defence in the first three quarters.

The fourth quarter, however, saw a different India. The team came out with urgency, pressing higher up the field and taking more risks in attack. Navneet Kaur gave India hope with a sensational solo goal, dribbling past defenders before slotting it past the keeper to make it 1-2.

Soon after, Deepika earned and converted a penalty corner herself, firing a powerful drag flick to level the scores 2-2 with just minutes left on the clock.

Despite carrying momentum into the shootout, India couldn’t find the finishing touch. All four Indian attempts were off target, while Argentina converted two to take home the bonus point.

While Argentina secured the bonus point, India will take heart from the performance. From being two goals down to forcing a shootout against one of the world’s best sides, the team showed determination and belief.

This result will boost morale as the Salima Tete-led side continues their European tour. With rhythm slowly returning and young players stepping up, India will hope to build on this performance in the remaining matches.