India beat Argentina 2-0, enter semi-finals

Ipoh, Malaysia, May 9 (UNI) India flourished late but still provided a thrilling finish by scoring two goals in the last three minutes to down Argentina 2-0 in a Group A match and book their semi-final berth in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey here today.

The Indians are joined in the semi-finals by Asian Games champions South Korea and reigning Olympic champions Australia, besides hosts Malaysia who had already qualified for the last four.

South Korea defeated Pakistan 4-2 in their postponed Group B encounter while Australia were big winners in another Group A match when they defeated China 7-2.

Australia, India and Argentina finished with six points each.

But, the Kookaburras had the best goal difference and India the second best.

The Argentines who had won their first two matches were found wanting in the last match.

India will play Group B winners Malaysia in the second semi-finals on Friday while South Korea play Australia in the first.

After several disappointing exchanges in the first half, the Indians only came alive in the last five minutes and scored two goals in a space of two minutes which was, however, enough to take them through in the last four for the second time in a row.

It was Bharath Chikkara who scored his first goal in the 67th minute and then in the 69th minute Tushar Khandakar sealed the match with a field goal.

India's win was somewhat dampened by the yellow card shown to penalty corner drag flicker V Raghunath.

It was his second yellow card in the tournament and he might have to sit out the semi-finals.

Indian coach Joaqium Carvalho later said they would not worry unduly about Raghunath's absence in the semi-finals.

''We have option to cover him and we also have good striking force who are now able to deliver the goals. So his absence is of no consequence now,'' he said.

Carvalho also said he was confident of a win against the Argentines after having watched them earlier.

''I felt that we just needed to increase the tempo of our attacking play and the goals would come. The forwards are really playing well and they are our trump card. There is no doubt that we have the capacity to go all the way and this win is just the start,'' he added.

He said the win would serve the right tonic to the rebuilding of the team and they can only improve from here.

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