NEW DELHI, June 28: Carrying on their recent fine form, India on Friday night thrashed Argentina 4-1 in their opening match to start the four-nation hockey tournament in Hamburg on a powerful note.

India, who recently won a three-nation tournament in Australia, scored twice in each half, with three of their goals coming through penalty corners.

Dilip Tirkey opened the account in the sixth minute when he converted a penalty corner. Jugraj Singh scored through another penalty corner in the 26th minute to give India a 2-0 lead.

Former captain Baljeet Singh Dhillon made it 3-0 in the second half before Argentina could score their only goal through Lombi.

Gagan Ajit Singh rounded off the score in the 60th minute by scoring the only field goal for India.

“The best thing is that we are playing well consistently. There has been no let up in our performance,” Coach Rajinder Singh said after the match.

“We are still experimenting with our game and I am very pleased that our strategy is working. Our boys played dominating hockey today,” he said.

Hosts Gemany and Spain are the other two teams in this competition.—PPI