Highlights, India vs Argentina, Hockey World League Final 2017, Scores and Updates: Olympic champions edge past hosts

Argentina through to the HWL Final. India will now play for the bronze medal on Sunday. The hosts going around the stadium, applauding the fans. It’s still raining heavily here at The Kalinga.

It’s sad that this match was played under driving rain. Bad for both the teams. But hugely disappointing for the fans who turned up in their thousands.

That’s it. Argentina has beaten India 1-0. India did all the attacking in the last quarter. But just couldn’t break the defence. The Olympic Champions are through to the final. India played well in the last quarter. But just couldn’t break the defence down.

Seconds left. Can India do it?

It’s been India all over Argentina. But the equaliser is not coming.

Under 3 mins left. Argentina lead 1-0.

India have taken off their goalkeeper.

Argentina have cleared six chances away from their own striking circle in the last quarter. India need a goal here.

Five minutes left. India need a goal here.

Under six minutes left. Argentina under massive pressure. India looking for the equaliser.

Close. Close. India almost there but the last pass is wrong.

What a save from Vivaldi! Gurjant’s powerful hit and he gloves it away.

India needs to quicken the pace. And Akashdeep comes so close.

Will Argentina defend this slender 1-0 lead or will they go all out and look for a goal that could close this match?

India now desperately looking for an opening. Less than 11 minutes on the clock.

Video umpire doesn’t agree with India’s referral. It’s back to hunting for the equaliser.

Lovely move into the Argentina striking circle. The Olympic Champions defend. But India go for a referral. They want a PC.

Less than 13 minutes to find the equaliser.

India’s choice of passes hasn’t been good. Time and again they have used the aerial ball but found Argentina sticks.

15 minutes left in the match. India need a goal to come back into the match.

Desperate India trying everything. That’s the end of the 3rd quarter. 15 minutes left for India to equalise.

The South Americans are taking their time on the free hits. India has to spread out. Too closely bunched.

India losing time. They are hitting waywardly into the Argentina striking circle. Losing patience now India. Frustrated with the conditions,

Five minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Argentina lead 1-0.

Argentina using the stretch of the field. They are using the wet pitch better.

India exerting pressure.

But the chance is gone. Ball not controlled well. Should have used a twin pass to get another PC.

The SA umpire points to a 2nd PC.

India’s 1st PC of the match, in the 3rd quarter. Possibility.

India is struggling a little more than Argentina. Quick passing is not working. And Lucas Vila showed it by dribbling past four Indian defenders.

Two quick attacks by Argentina. India’s counter doesn’t work as the players are unable to control the ball.

Teams are back on the pitch. India search for an equaliser.

The weather is bad for both the teams. But it’s the fans who have been deprived off a pacy and a possible thriller.

Teams are back on the bench. Tough two quarters ahead. India need a goal early. At the moment, Argentina are not under pressure.

India needs to play an open game. At this moment, they are stuck a bit on the flank. Cutting through the middle with 2-3 players will open the flanks. But first it’s required to read the pitch better.

It’s tough on this pitch. But tougher for the fans who have come braving the rains. Umbrella’s in hand. They have packed the stadium. Hopefully by the time the World Cup comes around, these stands will be covered.

And that’s the end of the 2nd quarter. Argentina lead 1-0. Rain still coming down. Pitch not allowing proper play.

Argentina playing better on the wet pitch. Using short passes and the aerial ball, they have put pressure and lead by a goal.

For the third time, an Indian pass stops in the middle. Doesn’t reach the player.

Argentina lead 1-0. They are using the flanks to good effect.

Manpreet has been given a yellow card. Seemed an okay diving clearance but the umpire thought otherwise. He will be out for five minutes. India under huge pressure. This could have been a good match but with the ball speed reduced because of the pitch and rains, it’s kind of brought in the ’luck’ factor.

India unable to hold the ball and move forward. Too many turnovers. India need to read the game and fast.

Argentina pushing the Indian defence. In the last five minutes, India have hardly had an attack. They need to regroup.

India now have to chase the Argentina lead. Rains still coming down.

GOAL!

GOAL!

ARGENTINA LEAD 1-0. DIRECT FLICK OFF THEIR 1ST PC. PEILLAT’S FLICK IS POWERFUL AND IN THE CORNER.

The PC stays in Argentina’s favour.

Argentina pushing really hard now. And they get their 1st PC of the match. But India is asking for a referral.

Aerial ball to Varun. But the ball slips away and Argentina get in a counter.

Stadium staff on the pitch. Trying their best to drain off the water. It’s a difficult task. Teams coming back for the 2nd quarter.

Despite the flooded pitch, action is quite furious. It’s the end of the 1st quarter. Chances are almost equal. Argentina lost a referral. Hopefully, the rains will lessen.

Simple hits are going over the line. That’s the danger. A pass in the striking circle could slip away.

Rains getting thicker. India with a few sharp chances trying to get a PC.

Semi-final here at the Kalinga Stadium. It’s still goalless. It’s India vs the Olympic champions.

Rain getting thick now. Will get difficult to play on this pitch. Any team can get a lucky break, a deflected drive or a ball that bounces less.

Argentina don’t get the PC. The South Americans lose the referral.

Argentina want a PC. They have gone for a video referral.

Argentina attack. Akash Chikte saves. The Indian defence clears. Water puddles seen on the pitch. Counter from India through Akashdeep and Mandeep.

That’s the first aerial ball. India will use it. With the ball slow, it’s aerial in this match. Gurjant will be vital.

India into the attack. But it’s evident that the pitch will play a large part. The ball is slow. It means that India will have it tough to quicken the pace of the game on the counter attack.

It’s quite an amazing scene. The crowds have turned up. Huddled under umbrella’s they are here at the Kalinga cheering their stars on.

The anthems are over. It’s time. India vs Argentina, the big semi-final. Seconds away.

The wet pitch will play a role. Players do get wary of the bounce and slip on the pitch. They are also afraid of injuries happening. But the area where the pitch might act a bit funny is during the PC’s. Usually, the ball is slow and gets difficult for the GK to read it.

Teams are ready for the National Anthem.

Till then let’s have a look at the stats:

India Vs Argentina have played 48 matches with India winning 26, four have been drawn while Argentina have won 18. In the HWL, both the teams have played once with Argentina winning that match. The most crucial aspect of the stats are that in the last ten matches, Argentina have won 6 with India winning 3. in their last encounter at the Rio Olympics, India beat Argentina 2-1.

Both the teams are already there while stadium staff is still cleaning up the pitch. It’s difficult with the rain falling constantly.

Welcome to a wet Kalinga Stadium. The India Vs Argentina semi-final is minutes away. There was speculation whether the match might be postponed or shifted to tomorrow but the FIH has announced that the semi-final will take place.

The starting line-up of the Indian team is out! 

Well, the latest information is match will take place. We have to wait and see what time the match will start.

Looks like it’s raining heavily in Bhubaneswar. We have to wait and see how long it continues. If the authorities think the match cannot be played today then India and Argentina will clash tomorrow.

Hockey fever in Bhubaneswar!

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India’s match against the Olympic champions Argentina to be played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. It’s the clash for the spot in the final as India look to beat the World No 1 side and make a strong statement in the tournament. They entered the last-four stage after beating Belgium in the quarter-finals while Argentina overcame the challenge from England.