Tokyo Olympics, women's hockey semi-final: India vs Argentina head-to-head records, preview, stats

Indian women's hockey team will lock horns with Argentina in the semi-final with an aim to assure a historic medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 by making its place in the summit clash. After defeating three-time Olympics gold medallists Australia in the quarter-final, the Rani Rampal-led team reached semis for the first time at Olympics. 

Indian was off to a disappointing start in their Tokyo campaign, as they began with losses against the Netherlands (5-1), Germany (2-0) and Great Britain 4-1). 

The team then picked up the momentum and defeated Ireland (1-0) and South Africa (4-3) in back-to-back clashes in Pool A. They had entered the quarter-finals, thanks to Great Britain's 2-0 win against Ireland in their last Group A clash. 

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If the Indian team manages to win, it will be the first time they will contest the gold medal match, with their previous best showing being a fourth-place finish in 1980. 

Argentina's women team have never won an Olympic hockey gold medal, but clinched silver at the 2012 London Games and the 2000 Sydney Games, the latter being where they earned the nickname Las Leonas, or lionesses.

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Here are some details about India vs Argentina semi-final clash: 

India vs Argentina in the semi-final: 

In the semi-final clash, India will face Argentina after the South Americans made their way to the last four with a 3-0 win over Germany. They got past the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012. 

India and Argentina's run at the Tokyo Olympics:

Both India and Argentina have played six matches before the semi-final. India won three and lost the other three matches. On the other hand, Argentina won four and lost two clashes. 

India: The Indian women’s hockey team is on a three-win streak now. They have defeated Ireland and South Africa in the group stage before knocking out Australia in the quarters. They however lost to Netherlands (5-1), Germany (2-0) and Great Britain (4-1) earlier, 

Argentina: Argentina had scored and conceded eight goals each in the group stage but slammed Germany 3-0 in the quarters. In the pool stage, they defeated China (3-2), Spain (3-0), Japan (2-1). However, they lost (0-3) to New Zealand and (0-2) to Australia. 

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Stats:

Head-to-head

Ahead of the Olympics, the Indian women's hockey team toured Argentina and had disappointing results. While playing against the senior team, India managed one draw and lost the other two matches.

They also played four more matches as the first two were against Argentina's junior women's team (both were draws) and the two were against Argentina's B team (India lost both).  

Goals so far at Tokyo Games

Indian team scored netted eight goals and conceded 14. On the other hand, Argentina scored 11 goals and conceded seven goals.

Key players:

India: Rani Rampal, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Neha Goyal, Vandana Katariya and Gurjit Kaur have been the goal-scorers for India. Goalkeeper Savita Punia emerged as an integral part of the team. 

Argentina: Defender Agustina Gorzelany scored three penalty-corner goals in the six matches she has played so far. Forward Agustina Albertarrio is also an asset for the team. 

Who said what?

"We have to keep fighting," Argentina's Maria Victoria Granatto said. "We are going to play one of the most important games of our lives."

"We didn’t have much experience the last time we competed at the Olympics in 2016. We knew we had to go there and play well but weren’t aware of the level of competition that we faced. This time I know the expectations are more from the people as our performances over the past few years have been good,"India's Savita Punia said.

Argentina vs India women's hockey squads:

India: Rani Rampal, Savita Punia, Deep Grace Ekka, Gurjit Kaur, Nikki Pradhan, Udita Duhan, Monika Malik, Navjot Kaur, Neha Goyal, Nisha Warsi, Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu, Lalremsiami, Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Vandana Katariya. Alternate players: Reena Khokhar, Namita Toppo

Argentina: Belen Succi, Sofia Toccalino, Agustina Gorzelany, Valentina Raposo, Agostina Alonso, Agustina Albertarrio, Maria Jose Granatto, Delfina Merino, Rocio Sanchez Moccia, Victoria Sauze, Victoria Granatto, Eugenia Trinchinetti, Micaela Retegui, Noel Barrionuevo, Julieta Jankunas, Valentina Costa Biondi. Alternate players: Sofia Maccari, Emilia Forcheri