Azlan Shah Cup: Peillat hat-trick helps Argentina go past India

Argentina's Gonzalo Peillat's hattrick ensured the Olympic Champs began with a win. Credit: Hockey India — Argentina's Gonzalo Peillat's hattrick ensured the Olympic champs began with a win. Credit: Hockey India

Ipoh, March 3: India lost 2-3 to Olympic champions Argentina in the opening match of the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament here on Saturday (March 3).

Drag-flick star Gonzalo Peillat scored a hat-trick for Argentina, while Amit Rohidas converted two penalty corners for India.

FT. Argentina take the spoils in the opening match of the 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on 3rd March, but India's encouraging performance showed signs of grit as they fought back from two goals down and kept the pressure on till the end.#IndiaKaGame #INDvARG #SultanAzlanShahCup pic.twitter.com/6IRt3NEiDW
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 3, 2018

Argentina went ahead when Peillat converted a penalty corner close to the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw the Sardar Singh-led side fight tooth and nail to even the match but Peillat, who grabbed a pass from the penalty corner with a flick to double Argentina's lead.

However, Rohidas scored a brace as India fought their way back into the contest.

But Peillat and Argentina had the last laugh as he netted his third goal of the match to put them on top. India will now face against England on Sunday (March 4).