<p>Sharmila Devi and Deep Grace Ekka scored a goal each as the Indian women's hockey team began its tour of Argentina with a 2-2 draw against the country's junior national team here.</p>.<p>In a well-contested match, goals from young Indian striker Sharmila (22nd) and the experienced Ekka (31st) were cancelled out by strikes from Argentina's Paula Santamarina (28th) and Brisa Bruggesser (48th).</p>.<p>Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne lauded the performance of the Indian team which was returning to international competition after a year following a Covid-19-induced break.</p>.<p>"It was a typical first match after a long gap. Playing a competitive side after a year takes time to get into the rhythm and we played 23 athletes to give them all a feeling of playing in a match after a long gap," Marijne said in a release issued by Hockey India.</p>.<p>India got off the blocks with an intent to attack in the first quarter. The team won two back-to-back Penalty Corners (PC) in the 8th and 9th minute of play but they were well-defended by a strong Argentine defence.</p>.<p>Though Argentina too were awarded a PC in the 11th minute, it was swiftly saved by an alert India custodian Savita.</p>.<p>The second quarter saw India set-up a fine goal via Sharmila in the 22nd minute providing the team a much-awaited 1-0 lead.</p>.<p>However, Santamarina of Argentina scored in the 28th minute to equalise.</p>.<p>India reimposed a lead soon after the second quarter when Ekka converted a PC in the 31st minute. The visitors defended well to keep up the 2-1 lead all through the third quarter and carried a good rhythm into the final quarter.</p>.<p>The home team bounced back in the final quarter to equalise with a fine goal by Bruggesser in the 48th minute.</p>.<p>Though India tried to create one last haul before the final hooter, the home team's defence stood strong.</p>.<p>A PC awarded to India in the 53rd minute was saved well eventually ending the match with a 2-2 scoreline.</p>.<p>"We will need to build on our rhythm match-by-match. We will be thoroughly analyzing this match and the key will be to learn from the mistakes we made here and be ready for the next game," Sjoerd said.</p>.<p>India will take on the Argentina junior women on January 20. </p>
<p>Sharmila Devi and Deep Grace Ekka scored a goal each as the Indian women's hockey team began its tour of Argentina with a 2-2 draw against the country's junior national team here.</p>.<p>In a well-contested match, goals from young Indian striker Sharmila (22nd) and the experienced Ekka (31st) were cancelled out by strikes from Argentina's Paula Santamarina (28th) and Brisa Bruggesser (48th).</p>.<p>Chief coach Sjoerd Marijne lauded the performance of the Indian team which was returning to international competition after a year following a Covid-19-induced break.</p>.<p>"It was a typical first match after a long gap. Playing a competitive side after a year takes time to get into the rhythm and we played 23 athletes to give them all a feeling of playing in a match after a long gap," Marijne said in a release issued by Hockey India.</p>.<p>India got off the blocks with an intent to attack in the first quarter. The team won two back-to-back Penalty Corners (PC) in the 8th and 9th minute of play but they were well-defended by a strong Argentine defence.</p>.<p>Though Argentina too were awarded a PC in the 11th minute, it was swiftly saved by an alert India custodian Savita.</p>.<p>The second quarter saw India set-up a fine goal via Sharmila in the 22nd minute providing the team a much-awaited 1-0 lead.</p>.<p>However, Santamarina of Argentina scored in the 28th minute to equalise.</p>.<p>India reimposed a lead soon after the second quarter when Ekka converted a PC in the 31st minute. The visitors defended well to keep up the 2-1 lead all through the third quarter and carried a good rhythm into the final quarter.</p>.<p>The home team bounced back in the final quarter to equalise with a fine goal by Bruggesser in the 48th minute.</p>.<p>Though India tried to create one last haul before the final hooter, the home team's defence stood strong.</p>.<p>A PC awarded to India in the 53rd minute was saved well eventually ending the match with a 2-2 scoreline.</p>.<p>"We will need to build on our rhythm match-by-match. We will be thoroughly analyzing this match and the key will be to learn from the mistakes we made here and be ready for the next game," Sjoerd said.</p>.<p>India will take on the Argentina junior women on January 20. </p>