Amstelveen (Holland), Aug 20: India slid from bad to worse as they crashed to a 2-4 defeat against Argentina and will now be left to fight for minor positions in the 25th Champions Trophy hockey tournament here today. Argentina, playing only their second Champions Trophy event after their debut in 1987, capitalised fully on a tottering Indian defence to score their second win in three matches.

India suffered their third defeat in four games with only a win against an inexperienced Germany to show for their efforts, and are left with one match in hand, against Pakistan on Friday. Goals by Jorge Lombi (19th, 40th), Matias Vila (24th) and Mario Almada (38th) set up the argentine win, while the Indian reply came from Deepak Thakur (30th) and Baljit Singh Dhillon (42nd).

It was not as if the Indians played badly, rather, they allowed Argentina to score despite having more opportunities themselves.

India had more of the ball in the first-half much of which they controlled. But two lapses in the midfield saw them fall behind. In the first instance, Argentina was allowed to develop a left wing move that led to a penalty corner which Lombi converted in the 19th minute. Bureau Report