India beat Argentina 5-4 in a shootout in their first FIH Pro League match of the Antwerp leg today, after the match ended 2-2 in regulation time. PR Sreejesh stepped up with two excellent saves in the shootout, in a game that he was responsible for sending to a shootout in the first place, after a string of excellent saves in regulation time.
India started the match well, keeping possession and probing the Argentina circle. They had a chance early on as well, but Abhishek was denied by Thomas Santiago's excellent save, but the goal didn't take too long to come.
In the 11th minute, Raj Kumar Pal slipped Abhishek through down the right wing, he ran down the baseline and cut it back to Mandeep Singh, who easily deflected into an empty net.
In the second quarter, Argentina took control of proceedings, as India sat back on their lead. The goal eventually came through a penalty corner, as Sreejesh made a first save, but the rebound was pounced upon.
The third quarter was largely an even affair, where both sides barely created any chances. India eventually got their goal in the fourth quarter, when Lalit Upadhyay put them up 2-1, after good work from Hardik Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh.
In the last minute, just as India were preparing to celebrate the win, Argentina forced a penalty corner. Sreejesh made the save and then Manpreet Singh and Maico Casella tussled for the same ball. The video umpire adjudged that the penalty corner be retaken and from there, Tomas Domene's dragflick deflected past Sreejesh and into the net.
In the shootout, Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored twice for India, and Abhishek scored once. Sreejesh made the decisive saves even there, and was deservedly adjudged the player of the match.
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