Tokyo: The Indian men’s hockey team sailed into the Olympic Games quarterfinal with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over defending champions Argentina in its penultimate pool match here on Thursday.
Second-half goals from Varun Kumar, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Harmanpreet Singh hand India a brilliant 3-1 victory over the defending Olympic champion Argentina.
Argentina’s lone goal came from a penalty corner conversion by Schuth Casella in the 48th minute.
With this win, the Indians (nine points) are now assured of a top-two finish in Pool A, behind Australia (12). Meanwhile, Argentina (four) is behind third-placed Spain and fourth-ranked New Zealand, only on goal difference.
India will play hosts Japan in their final pool match on Friday.
Team:
INDIA XI: PR Sreejesh (GK), Rupinder Pal Singh, Surender Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Manpreet Singh (C), Hardik Singh, Nilakanta Sharma, Dilpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Sumit.
COACH – Graham Reid.
ARGENTINA XI: Juan Manuel Vivaldi (GK), Pedro Ibarra (C), Leandro Tolini, Juan Martin Lopez, Matias Rey, Nahuel Salis, Nicolas Cicileo, Ignacio Ortiz, Agustin Mazzilli, Lucas Rossi, Lucas Vila.
COACH – Carlos Retegui.