Mar del Plata, Jan 22 (IANS) India wasted many chances to go down 0-2 to Argentina in the third hockey Test at the Estadio Panamericano here Thursday.
India, however, lead the four match series 2-1.
Argentina scored both the goals in the first half through Matias Paredes (6th min) and Lucas Vila (32nd min).
India began on an attacking note but the forwards missed chances.
In the second minute, Shivendra Singh, set up by Rajpal Singh, saw his shot kissing the post and going wide. Immediately thereafter, Deepak Thakur and Tushar Khandker wasted golden opportunities with only Argentine goalkeeper Juan Manuel Vivaldi to beat.
Argentina regrouped thereafter and mounted concerted attacks on the Indian defence with crafty manoeuvers from winger Ignacio Bergner and striker Tomas Argento.
India were on the backfoot as Matias Paredes stole the ball from Sandeep Singh in the sixth minute and shot home with a reverse to give Argentina the lead.
India soon missed a chance for the equaliser as Thakur was unable to control a long slap ball from Sandeep Singh.
Argentina steadily gained momentum with good midfield coordination and ball control even as their defenders kept the Indian attacks at bay.
India conceded a penalty corner in the 32nd minute and Lucas Vila beat goalkeeper Baljit Singh with a low flick on the right.
Shortly before the half-time, India earned their first penalty corner but skipper Sandeep Singh's dragflick went over the bar.
There were a few spirited attacks by India in the second half but Argentina custodian Vivaldi stood like a rock blunting them.
He first foiled Bharat Chikara, who came from the left flank and then Prabhjot Singh from a 45 degree angle. Attempts from Thakur and S.V. Sunil also went up in smoke as Vivaldi proved his class.
India will play the final match here Friday.
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