Hockey: What happened in the closing stages of India’s defeat against Argentina – a bizarre sequence of events before Jugraj Singh missed penalty stroke

Jugraj Singh took a penalty stroke twice in rather bizarre circumstances as India lost 1-2 to Argentina in the FIH Pro League.

Jugraj Singh took the penalty stroke in the closing stages of the game, which was re-awarded and then was saved again. (Screengrabs: JioHotstar / FIH production)

In one of the most bizarre endings you will ever see in a hockey match, India had the chance to equalise against Argentina in their Pro League clash in Amsterdam on Thursday but ended up squandering it, before a 1-2 defeat.

With less than a couple of minutes left in the match, and India trailing 1-2, Jarmanpreet Singh hit a superb pass along the ground from the left flank. The ball was travelling at some speed and it required Abhishek to produce a superb piece of control within the circle. The forward made space as he turned and drove inside towards the danger area. The referee close to the action – Michiel Otten – gave a penalty stroke, deeming that one of the defenders had fouled Abhishek and prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity. The Indian players were ecstatic but the Argentine players immediately crowded the referee, who quickly signalled that he was going to refer it himself to the video umpire, as referees do have the power to do so. But Magali Sergeant, the video umpire saw no reason to overturn the decision. The penalty stroke stood and India had the chance to equalise.

Jugraj Singh, in the absence of regular penalty taker Harmanpreet Singh who was out injured, stepped up and scored but Argentina now wanted to review this again as they argued that the Indian defender had one foot ahead of the ball when he went through the stroke. According to rule 13.7, subsection d (taking a penalty stroke), the player taking the stroke must stand behind and within playing distance of the ball before beginning the stroke. The video umpire upheld Argentina’s review and the stroke was ruled out.

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Manpreet Singh, the former captain, got a green card during this whole drama as he approached the umpire in protest. The Indians, still unhappy with the decision, had a few conversations with Coen van Bunge, the experienced Dutch umpire, who was at the other end of the field. Hardik Singh, the stand-in captain, eventually convinced van Bunge to ask the video umpire if she looked at the entire play… including the defensive phase of action. Van Bunge’s request saw the video umpire look at the goalkeeper this time and she deemed that Tomas Santiago was off his line before the offence Jugraj had committed.

According to rule 13.7, subsection e, “the player defending the stroke must stand with both feet on the goal-line and, once the whistle has been blown to start the penalty stroke, must not leave the goal-line or move either foot until the ball has been played.” So instead of Jugraj’s mistake leading to a free out, it was now a retake for India.

Jugraj got the chance tor retake the stroke, but this time around, his high attempt was saved superbly by player-of-the-match Santiago who got his glove out to the right side in time. India missed the chance to equalise and eventually suffered their fourth straight defeat.