Pakistan delivered one of their most spirited performances of the season but narrowly missed out on points, falling 3–2 to hosts Argentina in their FIH Pro League fixture at the Santiago del Estero Hockey Club on Thursday.
In a thrilling contest that ebbed and flowed throughout, Argentina built on their shoot-out victory over the Netherlands the previous night, edging a resurgent Pakistan side that showed clear improvement from their opening defeat.
Pakistan began with confidence and intent, pressing the hosts high and carving out early scoring opportunities.
Waheed Ashraf Rana twice came close to breaking the deadlock — first forcing goalkeeper Tomas Santiago into a sharp save from close range, and then firing narrowly wide of the far post moments later.
Argentina struggled to make their penalty corners count early on, with Tomas Domene’s backhand effort flashing into the side netting.
The hosts eventually found the breakthrough in the second quarter.
Thomas Habif’s incisive baseline run created the opening, allowing Ignacio Nardolillo to square for Domene to finish from point-blank range — the only goal separating the teams at halftime.
The match exploded into life after the break as Pakistan equalised through Muhammad Ammad, who produced a clever deflection off a Zikriya Hayat pass to make it 1–1.
Argentina, however, responded immediately and decisively through their trusted penalty-corner routines.
Nicolas della Torre restored the lead with a low, accurate flick before Maico Casella added another, rifling a powerful effort into the roof of the net after multiple re-awards.
Pakistan refused to bow out, earning a series of penalty corners late in the third quarter. Their persistence paid off when Waleed Rana capitalised on a rebound to cut the deficit to 3–2 heading into the final period.
Both teams produced half-chances in the fourth quarter, but Argentina’s defensive discipline and earlier set-piece precision ultimately proved the difference.
Thomas Habif was named Player of the Match for his influential all-round display.
The result follows Pakistan’s 5–2 loss to the Netherlands on their Pro League debut.
The Green Shirts will face the Dutch again on December 13, before wrapping up their first mini-tournament against hosts Argentina on December 15.
In a thrilling contest that ebbed and flowed throughout, Argentina built on their shoot-out victory over the Netherlands the previous night, edging a resurgent Pakistan side that showed clear improvement from their opening defeat.
Pakistan began with confidence and intent, pressing the hosts high and carving out early scoring opportunities.
Waheed Ashraf Rana twice came close to breaking the deadlock — first forcing goalkeeper Tomas Santiago into a sharp save from close range, and then firing narrowly wide of the far post moments later.
Argentina struggled to make their penalty corners count early on, with Tomas Domene’s backhand effort flashing into the side netting.
The hosts eventually found the breakthrough in the second quarter.
Thomas Habif’s incisive baseline run created the opening, allowing Ignacio Nardolillo to square for Domene to finish from point-blank range — the only goal separating the teams at halftime.
The match exploded into life after the break as Pakistan equalised through Muhammad Ammad, who produced a clever deflection off a Zikriya Hayat pass to make it 1–1.
Argentina, however, responded immediately and decisively through their trusted penalty-corner routines.
Nicolas della Torre restored the lead with a low, accurate flick before Maico Casella added another, rifling a powerful effort into the roof of the net after multiple re-awards.
Pakistan refused to bow out, earning a series of penalty corners late in the third quarter. Their persistence paid off when Waleed Rana capitalised on a rebound to cut the deficit to 3–2 heading into the final period.
Both teams produced half-chances in the fourth quarter, but Argentina’s defensive discipline and earlier set-piece precision ultimately proved the difference.
Thomas Habif was named Player of the Match for his influential all-round display.
The result follows Pakistan’s 5–2 loss to the Netherlands on their Pro League debut.
The Green Shirts will face the Dutch again on December 13, before wrapping up their first mini-tournament against hosts Argentina on December 15.