Friday, April 21 2006 11:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Monchengladbach: Asia Cup Champions India, finally, played and improved their game to beat South American Champions Argentina 3-2 to finish third in the four-nation tournament.

A strong first half was enough to ensure victory for India and a third place for a team that is still trying to come together with a change in coaching staff after the Commonwealth Games.

Argentina waited just behind the midfield for attacks on India. Argentina was the first to get a penalty corner which Bharat Chettri cleared easily. Minutes later the Indians gained their first corner and specialist Sandeep Singh´s flick beat the Argentina defence to give India a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute.

Then it was the turn of Tushar Khandekar to make his way alone over the left side and pass the ball precisely to Rajpal Singh who blasted the ball into the Argentinian goal in the 18th minute.

Seven minutes later Rajpal Singh scored again and this time it was Prabodh Tirkey who gave the ball from the right flank. Although the Argentinians claimed a high ball, umpire Rafa Ruiz gave India their third goal in the 26th minute.

It was only in the closing minutes that the match got more exciting. The Argentinians scored twice within a few minutes - First Ezequiel Paulon picked up a rebound and shot it in the net in the 60th minute.

Then Tomas Mc Cormick scored with a penalty corner in the 66th minute. Argentina could have gained a draw in the dying minutes, but Retegui missed the goal by centimetres.