Argentina draws with India with last minute goal

Buenos Aires, Dec 14 (IANS) Diwakar Ram scored a brace as Indian colts carried on their impressive form to draw 4-4 with Junior World Champions Argentina in the fourth and final hockey test here.

India were trailing 1-3 at halftime but came back strongly in the second half to pump in three goals and take the lead before Argentina equalised through a last minute penalty corner conversion by Martin Gebhardt.

Skipper Diwakar continued with his good form and converted two penalty corners while Danish Mujtaba and Jay Karan struck one each.

For Argentina Juan Cruz Agulleiro scored a brace while Guido Barreiros and Gebhardt sounded the board once.

India drew first blood as Mujtaba scored through a rebound off Diwakar?s penalty corner strike in the 7th minute.

Argentina stepped up the attack and pumped in three field goals to leave the visitors rattled. First Barreiros scored the equaliser in the 13th minute before Agulleiro struck twice in the space of 10 minutes (18 and 28th minute).

India showed urgency and fought back in the second half. Diwakar converted two penalty corners (39th, 59 minutes) before Jay Karan put India ahead 4-3.

India though conceded a penalty corner in the last minute and Gebhardt struck to level the scores.

India remained unbeaten on the tour. They beat Argentina in the first match while the other three matches were tied. India also beat the Netherlands 3-2 in a one-off match.