Amit Rohidas’ heroics in vain as India lose to Argentina in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup opener
Amit Rohidas scored a brace in vain as his goals were nullified by Argentina’s Gonzalo Peillat's hat-trick helping the South Americans to win the opening match of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2-3 in Malaysia. India would get a chance to bounce back as they face England in their next game tomorrow.
India started the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on a losing note as they lost 2-3 to the Olympic Champions Argentina. Amit Rohidas scored a brace for India but in vain as Gonzalo Peillat scored a hat-trick for the South American team to earn them three points in the tournament.
India started the match on a positive note though, as they pushed back Argentina early in the first quarter. Argentina’s Peillat scored from the penalty corner right at the end of the first quarter giving them a 0-1 lead.
The Argentines narrowed down the spaces for the Indian attackers to make some room for themselves. Nine minutes into the second quarter, Argentina scored their second goal through a penalty corner. Peillat’s name was again written on the scoresheet as he gave the world No. 2 a two-goal cushion midway through the second half.
The Indian team put constant pressure on their counterparts and Amit Rohidas opened India’s scoring through a penalty corner in the 26th minute of the match. Argentina led India 2-1 at the break.
Two minutes into the third quarter, India won their fourth penalty corner and it was Rohidas again who scored for the Asian side to equal the scoreline at 2-2. Argentina was quick to react as the hat-trick hero Peillat scored Argentina’s third goal through a penalty corner just a minute after they conceded the second goal.
The match was halted for an hour in the fourth quarter but Argentia held onto their nerves to secure all three points from the match. India
