Hockey World League Finals 2015: Recent stats between India and Argentina before their opener
Argentina are one of the most improved sides on the world hockey stage and their number five world ranking is ample indication of that. Surely, it won’t be a stroll in the park for Sardar Singh-led Indian side, who are oozing confidence after jumping three places to sixth spot in the world rankings as they take on the South American powerhouse in the lung-opener of the Hockey World League Final Round at the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium in Raipur on Friday evening.
The last time India squared up against Argentina was again in their own backyard in Bhubaneshwar in December 2014 at the FIH Champions Trophy, where the hosts had their chances but blew it in the final quarter. The Blueshirts twice took the lead through Danish Mujtaba and Gurjinder Singh but the Argentines equalized each time almost immediately via Lucas Villa and Juan Lopez.
It was the fourth and final quarter where the South Americans dealt two killer blows with goals from Agustin Mazzilli and Joaquin Menini. Hockey fans may not like the particular fact that India have never beaten Argentina in their last four meetings over a period of six years.
Prior to the 2014 FIH Champions Trophy clash, India had lost to them 1-2 in a World Cup warm-up in The Hague, Netherlands. India had also lost to Argentina 2-3 in the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh – they had lost to the same opponents 2-4 at the 2010 World Cup in New Delhi.
Interestingly, Argentina have beaten India twice in India in their last four meetings. In fact, India have faced Argentina only five times in last six years. India’s last win over Argentina came six years back at the 2009 Champions Challenge 1 Tourney held in Salta, Argentina in December 2009 when they won 3-2 with Vokkaliga Raghunath, Gurbaj Singh and Dhananjay Mahadik scoring for the national side. Raipur is a great opportunity for India to post their first win over Argentina in six years.
India vs Argentina Recent Head-to-Head Record
Result Tournaments Goal Scorers
Lost 2-4 2014 Champions Trophy Danish Mujtaba, Gurjinder Singh
Lost 1-2 2014 European Tour Sardar Singh
Lost 2-3 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Vokkaliga Raghunath, Sardar Singh
Lost 2-4 2010 World Cup (7-8 Place Play-Off) Sandeep Singh, Shivendra Singh
Won 3-2 2009 Champions Challenge 1 Vokkaliga Raghunath, Gurbaj Singh, Dhananjay Mahadik